Governor of Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Queensland |
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![]() Flag of the governor of Queensland
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Viceregal | |
Style | Her Excellency the Honourable |
Residence | Government House, Brisbane |
Appointer | Monarch on the advice of the premier
(by commission under the royal sign-manual)
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Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure
(typically 5 years)
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Formation | 10 December 1859 |
First holder | Sir George Bowen |
Salary |
The Governor of Queensland is a very important person in the state of Queensland, Australia. They represent the King, currently King Charles III. Think of them like the King's special helper in Queensland.
The Governor has important jobs, both official and ceremonial. They can appoint or remove the Premier of Queensland and other ministers. They also help start elections for the state parliament.
The current Governor of Queensland is Jeannette Young. She used to be Queensland's Chief Health Officer. She started her role on November 1, 2021.
If the Governor is away, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland steps in. Currently, that is Helen Bowskill. In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II decided that all past, present, and future Governors would be called The Honourable.
Contents
Where the Governor Lives
The Governor has lived at Government House, Brisbane since 1910. This big house is also known as Fernberg. It sits on 14 hectares (about 35 acres) of gardens and bushland. It is located in the Paddington area of Brisbane.
The very first Government House was built for this purpose. It was used from 1862 to 1910. You can still see that old building today. It is on the grounds of Queensland University of Technology's city campus.
What the Governor Does
The Governor's job was first created by Queen Victoria in 1867. This was done through special documents called "letters patent." For a long time, Queensland's laws didn't fully explain the Governor's powers. These powers came from the letters patent and other old British rules.
After a big political event in 1975, Queensland's Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, changed the state's laws. He made sure the Governor's powers were clearly written into Queensland's own Constitution Act. This was done to make sure Queensland had full control over its own government.
The Constitution Act 2001 brought all these rules together. Now, the Governor's role is fully defined by Australian law.
Usually, the Governor follows the advice of the Premier. This is part of the Westminster system of government. However, the Governor has special "reserve powers" for rare situations. These powers allow them to act without or against the Premier's advice.
For example, in 1987, Premier Bjelke-Petersen tried to remove some ministers. But Governor Sir Walter Campbell did not agree. This showed that the Governor has independent power in certain situations.
The Governor also leads the Executive Council of Queensland. This council is made up of government ministers. The Governor appoints judges, like the Chief Justice, based on the Council's advice.
The Governor's Flag
The Governor has a special flag called the Governor's standard. It has a Union Jack (the British flag) in the corner. In the middle, there is a white circle with Queensland's state badge. This badge is a light blue Maltese cross with a royal crown and laurel leaves.
This flag design for British governors was approved in 1869. Queensland's specific design has been used since 1876.
When this flag is flying at Government House, on a car, or at an event, it means the Governor is there.
- Past and present flags of the Governor
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1963–present, showing a St. Edward's crown
Queensland's Governors: A List
The first Australian-born Governor of Queensland was Lieutenant-General Sir John Lavarack. He was appointed in 1946. His successor, Sir Henry Abel Smith, was British. After that, all Governors have been Australian-born. The only exception is Leneen Forde, who was born in Canada but moved to Australia when she was young.
Before Queensland became a separate state in 1859, it was part of New South Wales. It was governed by the Governors of New South Wales.
There have been 26 Governors before the current one.
No. | Portrait | Title Governor Office (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Monarch | |
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1 | ![]() |
The Right Honourable Sir George Bowen GCMG (1821–1899) |
10 December 1859 |
4 January 1868 |
Victoria
(1837–1901) |
8 years and 26 days | |||||
2 | ![]() |
Colonel the Honourable Samuel Blackall (1809–1871) |
14 August 1868 |
2 January 1871 |
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2 years and 142 days | |||||
3 | ![]() |
The Right Honourable George Phipps Earl of Mulgrave GCB, GCMG (1819–1890) |
12 August 1871 |
12 November 1874 |
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3 years and 93 days | |||||
4 | ![]() |
The Honourable Sir William Cairns KCMG (1828–1888) |
23 January 1875 |
14 March 1877 |
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2 years and 51 days | |||||
5 | The Honourable Sir Arthur Kennedy GCMG, CB (1809–1883) |
20 July 1877 |
2 May 1883 |
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5 years and 287 days | |||||
6 | ![]() |
The Honourable Sir Anthony Musgrave GCMG (1828–1888) |
6 November 1883 |
9 October 1888 |
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4 years and 339 days | |||||
7 | ![]() |
Field Marshal the Honourable Sir Henry Norman GCB, GCMG, CIE (1826–1904) |
1 May 1889 |
31 December 1895 |
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6 years and 245 days | |||||
8 | ![]() |
The Right Honourable Charles Cochrane-Baillie 2nd Baron Lamington (1860–1940) |
9 April 1896 |
19 December 1901 |
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5 years and 255 days | Edward VII
(1901–1910) |
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9 | ![]() |
Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir Herbert Chermside GCMG, CB (1850–1929) |
24 March 1902 |
10 October 1904 |
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2 years and 201 days | |||||
10 | ![]() |
The Honourable Frederic Thesiger 3rd Baron Chelmsford KCMG (1868–1933) |
30 November 1905 |
26 May 1909 |
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3 years and 178 days | |||||
11 | ![]() |
The Right Honourable Sir William MacGregor GCMG, CB, AM (1846–1919) |
2 December 1909 |
16 July 1914 |
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4 years and 227 days | George V
(1910–1936) |
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12 | ![]() |
Major The Honourable Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams GCMG, CB (1858–1920) |
15 March 1915 |
3 February 1920 |
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4 years and 326 days | |||||
13 | ![]() |
Lieutenant Colonel the Honourable Sir Matthew Nathan GCMG (1862–1939) |
3 December 1920 |
17 September 1925 |
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4 years and 289 days | |||||
14 | ![]() |
Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir John Goodwin KCB, KCMG, DSO (1871–1960) |
13 July 1927 |
7 April 1932 |
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4 years and 270 days | |||||
15 | ![]() |
Lieutenant Colonel the Right Honourable Sir Leslie Wilson GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, DSO (1876–1955) |
13 June 1932 |
23 April 1946 |
Edward VIII
(1936) |
13 years and 315 days | George VI
(1936–1952) |
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16 | ![]() |
Lieutenant General the Honourable Sir John Lavarack KCMG, KCVO, KBE, CB, DSO (1885–1957) |
1 October 1946 |
4 December 1957 |
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11 years and 65 days | Elizabeth II
(1952–2022) |
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17 | ![]() |
Colonel the Honourable Sir Henry Abel Smith KCMG, KCVO, DSO (1900–1993) |
18 March 1958 |
18 March 1966 |
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8 years and 1 day | |||||
18 | ![]() |
The Honourable Sir Alan Mansfield KCMG, KCVO (1902–1980) |
21 March 1966 |
21 March 1972 |
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6 years and 1 day | |||||
19 | ![]() |
Air Marshal the Honourable Sir Colin Hannah KCMG, KBE, CB (1914–1978) |
21 March 1972 |
20 March 1977 |
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5 years and 0 days | |||||
20 | ![]() |
Commodore the Honourable Sir James Ramsay KCMG, KCVO, CBE, DSC, RAN (1916–1986) |
22 April 1977 |
21 July 1985 |
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8 years and 91 days | |||||
21 | ![]() |
Flight Lieutenant the Honourable Sir Walter Campbell AC, QC (1921–2004) |
22 July 1985 |
29 July 1992 |
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7 years and 8 days | |||||
22 | ![]() |
The Honourable Leneen Forde AC (b. 1935) |
29 July 1992 |
29 July 1997 |
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5 years and 1 day | |||||
23 | ![]() |
Major General the Honourable Peter Arnison AC, CVO (b. 1940) |
29 July 1997 |
29 July 2003 |
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6 years and 1 day | |||||
24 | ![]() |
The Honourable Quentin Bryce AC (b. 1942) |
29 July 2003 |
29 July 2008 |
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5 years and 1 day | |||||
25 | ![]() |
The Honourable Penelope Wensley AC (b. 1946) |
29 July 2008 |
29 July 2014 |
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6 years and 1 day | |||||
26 | ![]() |
Lieutenant the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, CVO, QC (b. 1948) |
29 July 2014 |
1 November 2021 |
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7 years and 96 days | |||||
27 | ![]() |
Her Excellency the Honourable Jeannette Young AC, PSM (b. 1963) |
1 November 2021 |
Incumbent | |
Charles III
(2022–present) |
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3 years and 266 days |
Helping the Governor: Administrators and Lieutenant-Governors
Sometimes the Governor is not available. This might be because they are traveling or unwell. In these cases, an Administrator or Lieutenant-Governor steps in. These are like deputy roles. If no one is appointed, the Chief Justice of Queensland takes over.
Here is a list of some of the people who have served in these important temporary roles:
Name | Term | Notes |
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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 | 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 |