| Governor of Queensland | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Viceregal | |
| Style | Her Excellencythe Honourable |
| Residence | Government House, Brisbane |
| Seat | Melbourne |
| Appointer | Monarch on theadvice of thepremier |
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure (typically 5 years) |
| Formation | 10 December 1859 (166 years ago) (1859-12-10) |
| First holder | Sir George Bowen |
| Deputy | Lieutenant-Governor of Queensland |
| Salary | A$488,686 (2019)[1][2] |
| Website | govhouse |
Thegovernor of Queensland is the representative ofthe monarch, currentlyKing Charles III, in theAustralian state ofQueensland. The governor has many constitutional and ceremonial roles in thepolitical system of Queensland; however, they are generally bound byconvention to act on the advice of thepremier and theExecutive Council of Queensland.[3] They also have a significant community role, through investingAustralian Honours on behalf of thegovernor-general, patronage of community organisations, and representing the state as a whole. The current governor isJeannette Young.[4]
Significant functions of the governor include givingroyal assent to bills passed byparliament, issuingwrits for elections, exercising executive power on the advice of the Queensland Executive Council, formally appointing government officials (including the premier, other ministers, judges and officials), opening sessions of state parliament, and presentingAustralian honours.[3] Although Australia has a federal system of government, the governor is the direct representative of the monarch and is not subordinate to the governor-general.[3]
In almost all instances, the governor only exercisesde jure power in accordance with the principles of theWestminster system andresponsible government. This requires them to remain politically neutral and to only act in accordance withParliament (such as when selecting the premier and providingroyal assent) or on theadvice of ministers (when performing executive actions).[5] In certain limited circumstances, the governor can exercisereserve powers (powers that may be exercised without or against formal advice). Governors are rarely called upon to exercise these reserve powers in the modern period.
In their ceremonial and community roles, the governor represents the state as a whole. Domestically, this role entails attending services and commemorations, sponsoring community organisations and hosting events at their official residence,Government House, located in theBrisbane suburb ofPaddington. The governor also promotes Queensland's economic, social and cultural interests abroad and is entitled to travel on an Australian diplomatic passport on official business.[6] The governor is supported anOfficial Secretary, and the Office of the Governor, an independent entity within the Queensland Government which employed 51FTE staff in 2025.[7]
The governor is selected by the premier and formally appointed by the monarch on the premier's advice. The term of office isnot fixed, but they typically serve for five years. Unlike the other Australian colonies, Queensland receivedresponsible government immediately upon beingproclaimed a colony in 1859. Eight British-born officials (a mixture ofminor British nobility andlanded gentry) served as governor during the colonial era, starting withSir George Bowen. SinceFederation in 1901, the position was held by a series of minor British nobles, until the first Australian appointed governor,Sir John Lavarack was appointed in 1948.[8] Sir John was succeeded by the BritishSir Henry Smith as governor, however all governors since have been Australian citizens.Leneen Forde, the first woman to serve as governor of Queensland,[a] was born in Canada;[9] however all other governors since 1966 have been Australian-born.
The governor is formally appointed by themonarch with a commission[4] as required by section 29 of theQueensland Constitution.[10] When a new governor is to be appointed, the current premier recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts thatrecommendation.[11] Prior to 1986, the governor was appointed by themonarch of the United Kingdom acting on the advice of theColonial Secretary (after 1966, theForeign Secretary), although local recommendations were considered and usually accepted by the British minister.
The incoming governor is publicly announced usually several months before the end of the existing governor's term. After receiving their commission, the new governor takes anoath or affirmation of allegiance to the monarch and an oath or affirmation of office.[12] These oaths are administered by thechief justice of Queensland or another justice of theSupreme Court.
TheQueensland Constitution does not set a term of office, so a governor may continue to hold office for any agreed length of time. The typical term of office is five years, although after this initial term, a commission may be extended. The longest-serving governor wasSir Leslie Wilson, who was in office for 13 years and 315 days between 1932 and 1946. At the time of his retirement, Sir Leslie was the longest-serving British governor or governor-general sinceJonathan Duncan served 16 years asGovernor of Bombay; from 1795 until his death in 1811.[13]
In the absence of the governor, the government of Queensland isadministered by the lieutenant-governor of Queensland, or in their absence, the most senior available justice of theSupreme Court of Queensland.[14][15]
The lieutenant-governor is required to assume the administration of the government as acting governor of the state when:
The chief justice, or next senior available justice, of the Supreme Court is required to assume the administration of the government as acting governor if the lieutenant-governor is unable to.[15]
The governor may also appoint the lieutenant governor or a supreme court justice as their deputy to perform some or all of the functions of the governor on behalf of the governor while the governor is exercising the office.[14]
A governor may be dismissed by the monarch before their term is complete. Since the passage of theAustralia Act 1986 the monarch may only dismiss a governor on advice from the premier, who is responsible for selecting an immediate replacement or letting the vacancy provisions take effect.[11] Prior to 1986, the governors were dismissed, or recalled to theUnited Kingdom, by the monarch of the United Kingdom.
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The governor has a key role in performing constitutional duties in all branches of government of the state. The governor also has a subsidiary role performing some constitutional duties relating to the government of the Commonwealth.
The Queensland Constitution defines theParliament of Queensland as consisting of the monarchand theLegislative Assembly. However, the monarch's role is no more than titular, with the governor responsible under the Queensland Constitution andAustralia Act 1986[11] for all of the functions undertaken by the monarch in regard to theUK parliament. These include the power to summon, dissolve and prorogue the Parliament, to issue writs for elections, as well as the power to give royal assent to bills in the monarch's name.
The governor also has a ceremonial role in swearing in and accepting the resignations of members of Parliament. All members must make anoath or affirmation of allegiance to the King in the presence of the governor or someone appointed by them before they take their seats.[16] On the day parliament opens, the governor makes a speech in the Legislative Council (similar to theKing's Speech in the UK), entirely written by the government, explaining the government's proposed legislative program.[17]
One of the most significant powers of the governor is the power to grantroyal assent in the King's name. This assent gives bills that have been passed by the Legislative Assembly the force of law. Prior to theAustralia Act 1986, theAustralian Constitutions Act 1850 (UK) authorised the governor to reserve a bill for the monarch's pleasure, that is allow the monarch to give royal assent personally to a proposed bill.[18][19] When the governor acted as a representative of the British government, this provision allowed for the governor to refer a bill back to the British government for review, which would then advise the monarch whether or not to grant assent. Since the passage of theAustralia Act 1986, the powers of the monarch in relation to the state - save for the power to appoint the governor - are exercised by the governor.[11] Under theAustralian Constitutions Act 1842 (UK), the British government could also advise the monarch to disallow a law passed within the last two years, which would annul the law on the governor's proclamation or message to the parliament.[20] This power was also removed by theAustralia Act 1986.[21]
Following the1975 Australian constitutional crisis, then-premierSir Joh Bjelke-Petersen amended the Queensland Constitution to provide that the governor is not subject to direction by any person and is not limited as to the Governor's sources of advice" on the appointment or dismissal of ministers.[22] Bjelke-Petersen feared that a futureCommonwealth government would either assert or acquire by consent the exiting powers of the imperial parliament over the states, giving them the power to either abolish the office or make it subordinate to thegovernor-general, with the aim of refusing royal assent to state bills. This amendment provision wasdoubly entrenched, requiring a referendum for the provisions about the governor to be amended or removed. Following the passage of theAustralia Act 1986, the power of the British Parliament to legislate for the states has been removed. However, there remains academic doubts of the legal effectiveness of the double entrenchment provisions.[23]
This provision worked against Bjelke-Petersen when, in the dying days of his government in November 1987, he tried and failed to convince governor SirWalter Campbell to remove several ministers to shore up his own support within Parliament. When the parliamentary wing of theNational Party deposed Bjelke-Petersen and elected one of the dissident ministers,Mike Ahern, as the new leader of the National Party, and Bjelke-Petersen initially refused to resign as premier and Sir Walter resisted calls to dismiss him.[24][25]
Executive powers vested in governor by statute or as part of the prerogative are exercised on the advice of ministers in accordance with the principles ofresponsible government. This occurs formally through theExecutive Council, a body of all current (and technically former) ministers that advises the governor.[26] Such advice is generally the result of decisions already made inCabinet, thede facto highest executive body in Victoria.
Formally, the governor exercises the traditional rights of the monarch as identified byBagehot: the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn.[11]
The role of state governors in the government of the Commonwealth is limited to the issue and return of the writs for the election ofsenators representing their state, and the nomination of new senators to fill acasual vacancy.[27]
When theprime minister advises governor-general to call an election of theHouse of Representatives within the 12 months before the expiration of the term of half the Senate, or thedissolution of both houses of parliament undersection 57 of the Australian Constitution, they will also advise the governor-general to invite the state governors to issue the writs for the election of senators on the same date.[28]
While the office of governor of Queensland has little role in the administration of the government of the Commonwealth, the individuals who serve as governors of Queensland are - like all theGovernors of the Australian states - normally given adormant commission toadminister the government of the Commonwealth in the absence from Australia, or the death, incapacity or removal from office of thegovernor-general by the Sovereign.[29] Some Queensland governors are also appointed as aDeputy of the Governor-General[30] to perform certain responsibilities of the Governor-General while the Governor-General is present in Australia, but unable to perform them personally.[31]
In addition to the formal constitutional role, the governor has a representative and ceremonial role, though the extent and nature of that role has depended on the expectations of the time, the individual in office at the time, the wishes of the incumbent government, and the individual's reputation in the wider community. Governors generally become patrons of various charitable institutions, present honours and awards, host functions for various groups of people including representatives of other countries, and travel widely throughout the state.
The governor is generally invited to become patron of various charitable and service organisations. Historically the governor has usually served asChief Scout of Queensland, Deputy Prior of theOrder of St John, and by law is theOfficial Visitor ofUniversity of Queensland.[34]
The governor fills the role ofHonorary Colonel for theAustralian Army Reserve'sRoyal Queensland Regiment.[34] and is Honorary Air Commodore ofNo 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.[34] These appointments are strictly honorary, and unlike governors in the United States who exercise operational control their stateNational Guard, the governor of Queensland plays no formal role in the command structure of these units.
Governors are entitled to various privileges by virtue of holding the office. These include the right to live inGovernment House, a heritage-listed mansion set in 14 hectares (35 acres) of gardens and bushland in the inner-Brisbane suburb ofPaddington. The building, also known asFernberg was built in 1865.[35]
When SirGeorge Bowen was appointed the first Governor of Queensland in 1859, he temporarily resided inAdelaide House - which was rented by the colonial government for £350 per year. Sir George moved intoOld Government House in 1862, and the property was later acquired by theAnglican Church. Following the consecration ofSt John's Cathedral in 1910, Adelaide House became the residence for the Dean and it is now known as The Deanery.[36]
Between 1862 and 1910, governors resided atOld Government House, Brisbane inGardens Point, now part of theQueensland University of Technology campus. By 1909 the once-spacious Government House was perceived as being too small for the Governor's residence, especially as it lacked aballroom deemed essential for entertaining. Then-governorSir William MacGregor, relocated into the leased property Fernberg as a temporary measure while a new Government House was constructed inVictoria Park. However, although the plans for the new Government House were drawn and the foundations laid, the project was abandoned. In 1911 the Government purchased Fernberg for£10,000 to be the permanentGovernment House of Queensland, a role that continues to the present day.[37]
The governor's official vehicle is a 1972Rolls-Royce Phantom VI which uses a representation ofSt Edward's Crown in place of a standard registration plate[38] and flies the governor's personal standard.[39]
The salary of the governor was initially set by theAustralian Constitutions Act 1850 at £2,000,[b] which also required any bill that altered the governor's salary to be reserved for her majesty's pleasure.[18] As of 2025, the governor is paid the same salary as the chief justice of the supreme court[1] (currently $488,686[2])
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Governors before the 1970s wore traditionalcourt uniforms, based on the uniform of theLord Lieutenants of English counties with the colours reversed. It consisted of a dark navy wool double-breasted coatee with silver oak leaf and fern embroidery on the collar and cuffs trimmed with silver buttons embossed with theRoyal Arms and with bullion edged epaulettes on the shoulders, dark navy trousers with a wide band of silver oak-leaf braid down the outside seam, silver sword belt with ceremonial sword,bicorne cocked hat with plume of ostrich feathers, black patent leather Wellington boots with spurs, etc., that is worn on ceremonial occasions.[40] However, that custom fell into disuse and governors now dress ininformal wear day-to-day.
Governors have during their tenure the styleHis or HerExcellencythe Honourable and their spouses have the styleHis or Her Excellency. The style used by a former governor isthe Honourable.[41]
Since the creation of theOrder of Australia in 1975, governors have been routinely invested as Companions of theOrder of Australia immediately prior to being commissioned as governor, and several governors includingPeter Arnison,[42] andDame Quentin Bryce,[43] have been appointed Commanders of theRoyal Victorian Order for their service to the sovereign as vice-regal representatives. Prior to 1986, Queensland still utilised theimperial honours system, and it was customary for governors to be recognised with awards of Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of theOrder of St Michael and St George for their service as colonial officials as well as Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for their services to the sovereign.[44]
Spouses of governors have no official duties but carry out the role of a vice-regal consort. They are entitled to the courtesy styleHer Excellency orHis Excellency during the office-holder's term of office. Most spouses of governors have been content to be quietly supportive. Some, however, have been notable in their own right.
| |
| Use | Other  |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 1876; 150 years ago (1876) |
| Design | A Union Flag defaced with the state badge of Queensland surrounded by wreath of laurels |
The governor's standard comprises aUnion Jack with a white roundel in the centre with the state badge of Queensland: a light blueMaltese cross, surmounted by a royal crown and surrounded by garland of laurel leaves.[45]
The general design of standards for British governors was approved byQueen Victoria in 1869. The design for governors of Queensland was created and flown as a personal standard since 1876, when the Maltese cross was adopted as the colonial badge. The flag's design was updated in 1963 to change the depiction of the crown from theTudor Crown toSt Edward's Crown[46][45]
If the standard is flying at Government House, on a vehicle or at an event, this indicates that the governor is present.[45]
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The office of the governor was initially established byletters patent issued by Queen Victoria on the founding of Queensland in 1867. However, up until 1977 the office was not formally recognised in Queensland legislation, with the powers of the governor set down in the letters patent and in an imperialorder in council which preserved the effect of theAustralian Constitutions Act 1842 (Imp) (the document that granted NSW a semi-elected assembly) as regard to the governor and restricted the power of the Queensland assembly to remove the position. However, following the1975 Dismissal crisis then premierSir Joh Bjelke-Peterson amended theConstitution Act 1867 (Qld) to replicate the provisions of the order in council. This was done as the order in council only applied due to the continuing authority of the British Parliament in regard to the states. It was feared that a futureCommonwealth government would either assert or acquire by consent the exiting powers of the imperial parliament over the states, giving them the power to either abolish the office or make it subordinate to the governor-general, allowing the Commonwealth to order the state governor to refuse royal assent to state bills. This amendment provision wasdoubly entrenched, requiring a referendum for the provisions about the governor to be amended or removed. Following the passage of theAustralia Act 1986, the power of the British Parliament to legislate for the states has been removed. However, there remains academic doubts of the legal effectiveness of the double entrenchment provisions.[23]
TheConstitution Act 2001 consolidated the previous constitutional documents, including the most recent letters-patent, leaving the role of the governor fully defined by Australian law.[47] However, the doubly entrenched provisions of the 1867 constitution remains in place as a referendum was not sought to amend them.[23]
The chief justice of theSupreme Court of Queensland, currentlyHelen Bowskill, acts in the position of governor in the governor's absence. In June 2014, QueenElizabeth II, upon the recommendation of then-PremierCampbell Newman, accorded all current, future and living former governors the titleThe Honourable in perpetuity.[48]
The first Australian born Governor of Queensland was Lieutenant-GeneralSirJohn Lavarack (appointed 1946). His successor, SirHenry Abel Smith, the husband of the niece of QueenMary, Lady May Abel-Smith, was British. All subsequent governors have been Australian-born, except forLeneen Forde, who was born inCanada but who emigrated to Australia at an early age.
Prior to theSeparation of Queensland in 1859, it was part ofNew South Wales under thegovernors of New South Wales.
There have been 26 past governors of Queensland, prior to the current governor:[49]
| No. | Portrait | Title Governor Office (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Monarch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | SirGeorge Bowen (1821–1899) | 10 December 1859 | 4 January 1868 | Victoria
(1837–1901) |
| 8 years and 26 days | |||||
| 2 | _2.jpg) | Samuel Blackall (1809–1871) | 14 August 1868 | 2 January 1871 | |
| 2 years and 142 days | |||||
| 3 | _2.jpg) | George Phipps Earl of Mulgrave (1819–1890) | 12 August 1871 | 12 November 1874 | |
| 3 years and 93 days | |||||
| 4 |  | SirWilliam Cairns (1828–1888) | 23 January 1875 | 14 March 1877 | |
| 2 years and 51 days | |||||
| 5 | .jpg) | SirArthur Kennedy (1809–1883) | 20 July 1877 | 2 May 1883 | |
| 5 years and 287 days | |||||
| 6 | .jpeg) | SirAnthony Musgrave (1828–1888) | 6 November 1883 | 9 October 1888 | |
| 4 years and 339 days | |||||
| 7 |  | Field Marshal SirHenry Norman (1826–1904) | 1 May 1889 | 31 December 1895 | |
| 6 years and 245 days | |||||
| 8 | .jpg) | Charles Cochrane-Baillie 2nd Baron Lamington (1860–1940) | 9 April 1896 | 19 December 1901 | |
| 5 years and 255 days | Edward VII
(1901–1910) | ||||
| 9 |  | Lieutenant General SirHerbert Chermside (1850–1929) | 24 March 1902 | 10 October 1904 | |
| 2 years and 201 days | |||||
| 10 | .jpg) | Frederic Thesiger 3rd Baron Chelmsford (1868–1933) | 30 November 1905 | 26 May 1909 | |
| 3 years and 178 days | |||||
| 11 | .jpg) | SirWilliam MacGregor (1846–1919) | 2 December 1909 | 16 July 1914 | |
| 4 years and 227 days | George V
(1910–1936) | ||||
| 12 |  | Major SirHamilton Goold-Adams (1858–1920) | 15 March 1915 | 3 February 1920 | |
| 4 years and 326 days | |||||
| 13 |  | Lieutenant Colonel SirMatthew Nathan (1862–1939) | 3 December 1920 | 17 September 1925 | |
| 4 years and 289 days | |||||
| 14 | | Lieutenant General SirJohn Goodwin (1871–1960) | 13 July 1927 | 7 April 1932 | |
| 4 years and 270 days | |||||
| 15 | .jpg) | Lieutenant Colonel SirLeslie Wilson (1876–1955) | 13 June 1932 | 23 April 1946 | Edward VIII (1936) |
| 13 years and 315 days | George VI
(1936–1952) | ||||
| 16 |  | Lieutenant General SirJohn Lavarack (1885–1957) | 1 October 1946 | 4 December 1957 | |
| 11 years and 65 days | Elizabeth II (1952–2022) | ||||
| 17 | _2.png) | Colonel SirHenry Abel Smith (1900–1993) | 18 March 1958 | 18 March 1966 | |
| 8 years and 1 day | |||||
| 18 |  | SirAlan Mansfield (1902–1980) | 21 March 1966 | 21 March 1972 | |
| 6 years and 1 day | |||||
| 19 |  | Air Marshal SirColin Hannah (1914–1978) | 21 March 1972 | 20 March 1977 | |
| 5 years and 0 days | |||||
| 20 |  | Commodore SirJames Ramsay (1916–1986) | 22 April 1977 | 21 July 1985 | |
| 8 years and 91 days | |||||
| 21 | .jpg) | Flight Lieutenant SirWalter Campbell (1921–2004) | 22 July 1985 | 29 July 1992 | |
| 7 years and 8 days | |||||
| 22 | .jpg) | Leneen Forde (b. 1935) | 29 July 1992 | 29 July 1997 | |
| 5 years and 1 day | |||||
| 23 | .jpg) | Major General Peter Arnison (b. 1940) | 29 July 1997 | 29 July 2003 | |
| 6 years and 1 day | |||||
| 24 | .jpg) | Quentin Bryce (b. 1942) | 29 July 2003 | 29 July 2008 | |
| 5 years and 1 day | |||||
| 25 | _2.jpg) | Penelope Wensley (b. 1946) | 29 July 2008 | 29 July 2014 | |
| 6 years and 1 day | |||||
| 26 |  | Paul de Jersey (b. 1948) | 29 July 2014 | 1 November 2021 | |
| 7 years and 96 days | |||||
| 27 | .jpg) | Jeannette Young (b. 1963) | 1 November 2021 | Incumbent | |
| Charles III
(2022–present) | |||||
| 4 years and 108 days | |||||
Administrators andlieutenant-governors are deputy roles generally appointed to carry out the duties of the governor when the governor is unavailable, due to travel or illness. If one is not appointed, then the duties are carried out by theChief Justice of Queensland (or the most senior judge available).[50] The following are the administrators and lieutenant-governors of Queensland:[51]
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maurice Charles O'Connell | 4 January 1868 – 14 August 1868 | Administrator |
| Maurice Charles O'Connell | 2 January 1871 – 12 August 1871 | Administrator |
| Maurice Charles O'Connell | 12 November 1874 – 23 January 1875 | Administrator |
| Maurice Charles O'Connell | 14 March 1877 – 10 April 1877 | Administrator |
| Arthur Edward Kennedy | 10 April 1877 – 20 July 1877 | Administrator |
| Joshua Peter Bell | 19 March 1880 – 22 November 1880 | Administrator |
| Arthur Hunter Palmer | 2 May 1883 – 6 November 1883 | Administrator |
| Arthur Hunter Palmer | 20 April 1886 – 13 December 1886 | Administrator |
| Arthur Hunter Palmer | 9 October 1888 – 1 May 1889 | Administrator |
| Arthur Hunter Palmer | 15 November 1895 – 9 April 1896 | Lieutenant Governor Administrator |
| Samuel Griffith | 21 June 1901 – 24 March 1902 | Lieutenant Governor |
| Hugh Muir Nelson | 10 October 1904 – 30 November 1905 | Lieutenant Governor |
| Arthur Morgan | 27 May 1909 – 2 December 1909 | Lieutenant Governor |
| Arthur Morgan | 16 July 1914 – 15 March 1915 | Lieutenant Governor |
| William Lennon | 3 February 1920 – 3 December 1920 | Lieutenant Governor |
| William Lennon | 17 September 1925 – 13 June 1927 | Lieutenant Governor |
| William Lennon | 8 May 1929 – 2 June 1929 | Lieutenant Governor |
| James William Blair | 7 April 1932 – 1 June 1932 | Administrator |
| James William Blair | 17 May 1937 – 18 November 1944[52] | Administrator/Lieutenant Governor |
| Frank Cooper | 24 April 1946 – 30 September 1946 | Lieutenant Governor |
| Alan Mansfield | 25 January 1957 – 18 March 1958 | Administrator |
| Alan Mansfield | 31 March 1960 – 24 May 1960 | Administrator |
| Alan Mansfield | 18 April 1963 – 18 October 1963 | Administrator |
| William Mack | 10 March 1966 – 21 March 1966 | Administrator |
| William Mack | 20 March 1969 – 30 June 1969 | Administrator |
| Joseph Aloysius Sheehy | 30 June 1969 – 18 September 1969 | Administrator |
| Mostyn Hanger | 9 March 1972 – 21 March 1972 | Administrator |
| Mostyn Hanger | 21 March 1977 – 22 April 1977 | Administrator |
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