Queen Victoria's Instructions to Queensland's first Governor, Sir George Bowen - 1859.

Office of the Governor

The Office of the Governor of Queensland was established in 1859 when Queensland was separated from New South Wales as a self-governing colony. The Governor is the personal representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

in Queensland, and is appointed by Commission. The powers of the Governor are derived from the Commission of Appointment, from the provisions of various pieces of Constitutional legislation and from a number of Acts of the State Parliament.

The Governor, as the representative of The Queen, and as Head of State in Queensland, does not participate in the political process. It is the main constitutional responsibility of the Governor to ensure that the State continues to have a stable government which commands the popular support of the Parliament. The Governor also presides over meetings of, and takes the advice of the Executive Council which is comprised of the Ministers of the Crown. The Governor-in-Council provides formal approval of certain decisions of the Cabinet and individual Ministers. It is a convention that a Governor acts upon the advice given by the members of Executive Council. Convention also allows a Governor to be consulted, to encourage and to warn. Accordingly, in response to the ministerial advice given, the Governor may ask questions and seek further information.

Specific Functions

Some of the specific roles and functions of the Governor include:

• giving Royal Assent to Bills passed by the Parliament;
• summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament on the advice of the Premier;
• appointing all Ministers (members of the Executive Council), and appointing and removing officials, on the advice of the Executive Council;
• issuing writs, on the advice of the Executive Council, for state elections, and writs for the election of Queensland representatives in the Australian Senate;
• granting to an offender, in the name of The Queen, a pardon or commutation of sentence or reprieve of the carrying out of a sentence or the remission of a fine or penalty.

Other Duties

Through social and civic duties, and a broad range of speaking commitments the Governor focuses on issues which promote community cohesion with special emphasis on encouraging mutual respect and confidence in the community. The Governor also achieves this by:

• travelling widely through Queensland to visit a range of organisations;
• encouraging individual initiative and enterprise;
• fostering the work of charities;
• granting patronage;
• presenting civic awards and honours;
• conducting functions at Government House which recognise and value those who serve the community especially through voluntary endeavour

The Governor performs a number of ceremonial and public duties including the swearing-in of Ministers, opening Parliament, receiving calls from Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of State, hosting visiting parliamentary and trade delegations at Government House, participating in numerous conferences and functions, and presiding at major occasions such as Australia Day and Anzac Day activities when the community commemorates events of national significance.

Parliament of Queensland

Queensland Government

Constitution of Queensland

Queensland Legislation

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