Office of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (Cth)

ELIZABETH R

Letters Patent

Relating to the Office of Governor‑General

of the Commonwealth of Australia

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth

Greeting:

WHEREAS, by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, certain powers, functions and authorities are vested in a Governor‑General appointed by The Queen to be Her Majesty's representative in the Commonwealth:

AND WHEREAS, by Letters Patent dated 21 August 1984, as amended, provision was made in relation to the office of Governor‑General:

AND WHEREAS, by section 4 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, the provisions of the Constitution relating to the Governor‑General extend and apply to the Governor‑General for the time being, or such person as The Queen may appoint to administer the Government of the Commonwealth:

AND WHEREAS We are desirous of revising the provisions relating to the office of Governor‑General and for persons appointed to administer the Government of the Commonwealth:

NOW THEREFORE, by these Letters Patent under Our Sign Manual and the Great Seal of Australia –

1. We revoke the Letters Patent dated 21 August 1984, as amended.

2. We declare that –

(a) the appointment of a person to the office of Governor‑General shall be during Our pleasure by Commission under Our Sign Manual and the Great Seal of Australia; and

(b) before assuming office, a person appointed to be Governor‑General shall take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance and the Oath or Affirmation of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice or another Justice of the High Court of Australia.

III. We declare that –

(a) the appointment of a person to administer the Government of the Commonwealth under section 4 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth shall be during Our pleasure by Commission under Our Sign Manual and the Great Seal of Australia;