Lieutenant governor (Australia)
Encyclopedia
In contemporary Australian state constitutions, a lieutenant governor is a standing appointment for a deputy governor, to act in place of the governor if they are unable, unavailable or unwilling to act. There is no deputy for the Commonwealth governor-general
; instead, the senior state governor takes up a standing appointment to act as Administrator of the Commonwealth
. Historically, a lieutenant governor could also be the deputy of the New South Wales Governor in a particular territory.
Constitutionally Lieutenant-Governors, Administrators and the Chief Justices of the State Supreme Courts are normally separate offices in the Australian states, however in many states most notably New South Wales
, the role of Lieutenant-Governor is played by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 2001, the Constitution of Queensland was amended to restore the office of Lieutenant-Governor in that state. When a Governor-General or state Governor dies, resigns, or is absent, an Administrator
, or acting Governor, would be appointed. In the case of the Governor-General this officer is styled as an Administrator, while in the case of State Governors this officer may either be an Administrator or the Lieutenant-Governor. The state Lieutenant-Governors/Administrators have no standing powers but stand ready to take up the Governor's role.
An additional office is available in some states, such as the Governor's Deputy in Victoria. This office can exercise only the powers the governor delegates to them.
When the Governor-General is overseas or on leave, the longest serving State governor acts as Administrator of the Commonwealth. Until she retires or resigns, the longest-serving State governor is Professor Marie Bashir of New South Wales, who has served since 1 March 2001. The second-longest-serving State governor until he retires or resigns is South Australia's Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce
, who has served since 8 August 2007.
Historically, in the early and mid 19th centuries, lieutenant-governors ran Australasian sub-colonies that were initially subordinate to the colony of New South Wales, such as Van Diemen's Land
(Tasmania
) or the Bay of Islands
(New Zealand
).
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
; instead, the senior state governor takes up a standing appointment to act as Administrator of the Commonwealth
Administrator of the Government
An Administrator in the constitutional practice of some countries in the Commonwealth is a person who fulfils a role similar to that of a Governor or a Governor-General...
. Historically, a lieutenant governor could also be the deputy of the New South Wales Governor in a particular territory.
Constitutionally Lieutenant-Governors, Administrators and the Chief Justices of the State Supreme Courts are normally separate offices in the Australian states, however in many states most notably New South Wales
Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales
The Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales is a government position in the state of New South Wales, Australia, acting as a deputy to the Governor of New South Wales....
, the role of Lieutenant-Governor is played by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 2001, the Constitution of Queensland was amended to restore the office of Lieutenant-Governor in that state. When a Governor-General or state Governor dies, resigns, or is absent, an Administrator
Administrator of the Government
An Administrator in the constitutional practice of some countries in the Commonwealth is a person who fulfils a role similar to that of a Governor or a Governor-General...
, or acting Governor, would be appointed. In the case of the Governor-General this officer is styled as an Administrator, while in the case of State Governors this officer may either be an Administrator or the Lieutenant-Governor. The state Lieutenant-Governors/Administrators have no standing powers but stand ready to take up the Governor's role.
An additional office is available in some states, such as the Governor's Deputy in Victoria. This office can exercise only the powers the governor delegates to them.
When the Governor-General is overseas or on leave, the longest serving State governor acts as Administrator of the Commonwealth. Until she retires or resigns, the longest-serving State governor is Professor Marie Bashir of New South Wales, who has served since 1 March 2001. The second-longest-serving State governor until he retires or resigns is South Australia's Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce
Kevin Scarce
Rear Admiral Kevin John Scarce, AC, CSC, RANR is a retired officer of the Royal Australian Navy and the Governor of South Australia. He succeeded Marjorie Jackson-Nelson as Governor on 8 August 2007...
, who has served since 8 August 2007.
Historically, in the early and mid 19th centuries, lieutenant-governors ran Australasian sub-colonies that were initially subordinate to the colony of New South Wales, such as Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
) or the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country....
(New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
).