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The Powers of the Governor-General |
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Written by Australian Constitution
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Monday, 23 August 2004 |
Powers exercisable in Council (i.e. with the advice of the Federal Executive
Council - Constitution, s. 63) |
| 1. Issue writs for House of Representatives elections |
ss. 32, 33 |
| 2. Establish Departments of State |
s. 64 |
| 3. Appoint and, on address from both Houses, remove Justices of the High Court and judges of other Federal courts |
s.72 |
| 4. Appoint members of the Inter-State Commission, if it exists |
s. 103 |
Powers conferred on the Governor-General |
The Governor-General and the Legislature |
| 1. Dissolve the House of Representatives at any time during its term |
ss. 5, 28 |
2. Dissolve the Senate as well as the House of Representatives in the event
of a deadlock and, if the election fails to resolve that deadlock, may convene
a joint sitting of both Houses
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s. 57 |
| 3. Summon Parliament, fix session times and prorogue Parliament (i.e. determine when sessions end) |
s.5 |
| 4.
In the absence of the President of the Senate, notify the Governor of a
State of a vacancy in that State's Senate representation |
s.21 |
| 5.
Assent to, or withhold assent from, a law passed by Parliament, reserve
a law for the Queen's pleasure or return a law with recommendations for
amendment |
s.58 |
| 6. Recommend the appropriation of moneys (without such a recommendation Parliament cannot appropriate moneys) |
s.56 |
| 7. Submit a referendum proposal to the people if it is the subject of a deadlock between the two Houses |
s.128 |
The Governor-General and the Executive |
| 8. Appoint and dismiss Ministers and, in the absence of parliamentary provision, direct what offices Ministers shall hold |
ss. 64,65 |
| 9. Appoint and dismiss members of the Federal Executive Council |
ss. 62 |
| 10. Command the defence forces |
ss. 68 |
| 11.
On behalf of the Queen, exercise the executive power of the
Commonwealth. This includes traditional Crown prerogatives (e.g.
declare war and peace, enter into treaties, make contracts), preventing
breaches of the Constitution and Commonwealth laws and making
regulations and various other orders |
s. 61 |
The Governor-General as the Queen's Representative |
| 12.
In addition to the powers expressly conferred by the Constitution,
'such powers and functions of the Queen as Her Majesty may be pleased
to assign to him' |
s.2
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| 13. With the Queen's consent, appoint a deputy with authority to exercise his or her powers and functions |
s.126 |
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