CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Former soldier David Hurley was sworn in as Australia's governor-general on Monday, a day before Parliament resumes for the first time since the May election.

Hurley represents the Queen Elizabeth II, who is Australia's constitution head of state.

Hurley was most recently the British monarch's representative in New South Wales when he spent five years as state governor based in Sydney.

He will officiate on Tuesday when Parliament resumes for the first time since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government was elected to a third three-year term on May 18.

Hurley replaced Peter Cosgrove who held the position since 2014. Both are former chiefs of the Australian Defense Force. </s> CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Former soldier David Hurley was sworn in as Australia's governor-general on Monday, a day before Parliament resumes for the first time since the May election.

Hurley represents the Queen Elizabeth II, who is Australia's constitution head of state.

Hurley was most recently the British monarch's representative in New South Wales when he spent five years as state governor based in Sydney.

He will officiate on Tuesday when Parliament resumes for the first time since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government was elected to a third three-year term on May 18.

Hurley replaced Peter Cosgrove who held the position since 2014. Both are former chiefs of the Australian Defense Force.

Former soldier David Hurley, second from bottom, is sworn in as Australia's governor-general at a ceremony in Parliament House in Canberra Monday, July 1, 2019. Hurley will officiate on Tuesday when Parliament resumes for the first time since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government was elected to a third three-year term. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

Former soldier David Hurley, center, is sworn in as Australia's governor-general at a ceremony in Parliament House in Canberra Monday, July 1, 2019. Hurley will officiate on Tuesday when Parliament resumes for the first time since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government was elected to a third three-year term. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk) </s> New Governor-General David Hurley vows to support those who help Australia's most vulnerable

Australia's new Governor-General has vowed to dedicate his tenure to supporting the people that help the nation's most vulnerable.

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel swore in General David Hurley as Australia's 27th Governor-General at Parliament House in Canberra.

Late last year, then newly installed Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced General Hurley, the then NSW Governor, would replace Sir Peter Cosgrove as Australia's most senior official.

General Hurley is a former senior Army officer who spent more than four decades in the military.

Speaking at his swearing in, he said the richness of the nation was apparent in the organisations that support those most in need.

"There are countless organisations and people demonstrating how rich this country is every day.

"As Governor-General, I am committed absolutely to supporting these people in their work."

General Hurley thanked his predecessor, who served slightly longer than his allocated five-year term to allow the change to happen after the federal election.

"I know that I will be doing so, I will follow on and build on the work of Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove," General Hurley said.

"Driven by the timeless notions of public service and working for the common good, they undertook a daunting program of engagement over the last five years."

General Hurley's appointment attracted complaint from Labor last December, with the Opposition arguing the appointment should have been made after the election.

But there has been bipartisan support for General Hurley and the credentials he brings to the role.

"You have shown yourself to be generous, approachable, humble, humane and as someone who looks people straight in the eye, not up and down," Mr Morrison said.

"All of those qualities, together with Mrs Hurley, you bring together to this role."

General Hurley's swearing-in comes on the eve of the official start of the 46th Parliament.

He will return to Parliament House to oversee the opening of the Parliament on Tuesday.

General Hurley received the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993. </s> Former NSW governor David Hurley will be sworn in as Australia's next governor-general, taking over the reins from Sir Peter Cosgrove.

Mr Hurley was governor of NSW from 2014 until earlier this year. Before that, he served for more than four decades in the Australian Army, including three years as Defence Force chief.

He will be sworn in as governor-general at a ceremony in Canberra on Monday, taking over from Sir Peter who held the role for five years.

Earlier this year, Mr Hurley used an Australia Day speech to call for more of a focus on indigenous languages in schools.

He has previously urged people to look beyond his military background after criticism that three of the last four governor-generals were retired army generals.

"General Hurley is known for looking people straight in the eye. Not up and not down. He was that way with those he led in the military and he's been that way as a governor and throughout his life," Mr Morrison said at the time.

The governor-general is appointed by the Queen in Commonwealth countries, on the advice of the prime minister, to be the Crown's representative. </s> CANBERRA, Australia — Former soldier David Hurley has been sworn in as Australia's governor-general a day before Parliament resumes for the first time since the May election.

Hurley represents Queen Elizabeth II, who is Australia's constitution head of state.

He will officiate on Tuesday when Parliament resumes for the first time since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government was elected to a third three-year term.

Hurley was most recently the British monarch's representative in New South Wales, where he spent five years as state governor based in Sydney. </s> July 1, 2019. The 27th Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley addresses members and guests of Parliament in the Member's Hall at Parliament House, Canberra. The Governor-General mentioned when sworn in this morning how he thanked his parents who have both passed away, for what they provided him for his life. He says his family came from 'humble beginnings.' Mr Hurley says so much can be done in Australia when we "shape the environment for people to see the opportunities that are there". Mr Hurley has given over 40 years of service in the Army, as NSW Governor, and now as the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia for the next five years. (AAP Video/Marc Tewksbury) </s> Australia's new governor-general has encouraged the nation to consider itself as a work in progress.

The former defence force chief assumes the post at the end of Sir Peter Cosgrove's five-year commission.

He intends to use his tenure to highlight the strength of Australians and their concern for the common good.

"We can be informed by many sources of the ills of our sociey; it is important that we are reminded of its goodness," he told the Senate chamber.

Mr Hurley also drew on a quote by Australian author David Malouf that is etched on a glass plaque at Sydney's Circular Quay.

Malouf, he noted, is representative of the diversity of Australia, having a Lebanese father and British mother of Portuguese decent.

"Australia is still revealing itself to us. We oughtn't to close off possibilities by declaring too early what we have already become," the plaque reads.

Mr Hurley became the NSW governor in 2014 after 42 years of service in the Australian Army, the last three of which he spent as chief of the defence force.

In the Senate chamber, Australia's Chief Justice Susan Kiefel swore in the 27th governor-general, reading and signing the oaths of allegiance and office.

The governor-general opened his acceptance speech with an acknowledgement of country in Ngunnawal language, after calling for indigenous languages to be taught more widely in schools in an Australia Day speech.

In December, he urged people to look beyond his military background after criticism that three of the last four appointments of governor-general have been retired army generals.

Mr Morrison gave some insight into his choice after appointing him late last year.

"General Hurley is known for looking people straight in the eye. Not up and not down. He was that way with those he led in the military and he's been that way as a governor and throughout his life," Mr Morrison said in December.

"Looking eye-to-eye, face-to-face, understanding people's challenges and issues one-on-one, in a very direct and very humble and a very humane way."

Facing questions about why he did not consider a woman to fill the role, Mr Morrison said Mr Hurley's selection was a "package deal" with his wife of more than 40 years.

The governor-general is appointed by the Queen in Commonwealth countries, on the advice of the prime minister, to be the representative of the Crown.

Mr Hurley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the army. </s> David Hurley has been sworn in as Australia's vice-regal representative at Parliament House.

The former defence force chief assumes the post at the end of Sir Peter Cosgrove's five-year commission.

He intends to use his tenure to highlight the strength of Australians and their concern for the common good.

AAP

"We can be informed by many sources of the ills of our sociey; it is important that we are reminded of its goodness," he told the Senate chamber.

Mr Hurley said he will also do his best to highlight the importance of the work of governor-generals in "depicting a nation to its people".

"Australia can be provided with a reflection of themselves and other countries," he said, paying tribute to the strength of Australia's democratic system.

"My emphasis on community engagement will sit alongside the critical constitutional role performed by the Governor-General. Australia has an enviable record as a parliamentary democracy."

AAP

Support for veterans, asylum seekers, Indigenous Australians

He said his time as NSW governor has made him acutely aware of the "richness" and cultural diversity of Australia.

"I have seen this richness of spirit at work in the people and the organisations assisting our veterans, our rural communities under stress, asylum seekers who we have welcomed into our country and our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

"There are countless organisations and people demonstrating how rich this country is every day.

"As Governor-General, I am committed absolutely to supporting these people in their work."

Mr Hurley also drew on a quote by Australian author David Malouf that is etched on a glass plaque at Sydney's Circular Quay.

Malouf, he noted, is representative of the diversity of Australia, having a Lebanese father and British mother of Portuguese decent.

"Australia is still revealing itself to us. We oughtn't to close off possibilities by declaring too early what we have already become," the plaque reads.

"Australia is not a finished product," Mr Hurley stressed.

AAP

Decades of service in the army

Mr Hurley became the NSW governor in 2014 after 42 years of service in the Australian Army, the last three of which he spent as chief of the defence force.

Accompanied by his wife Linda, Mr Hurley received the general salute in the parliament forecourt.

In the Senate chamber, Australia's Chief Justice Susan Kiefel swore in the 27th governor-general, reading and signing the oaths of allegiance and office.

AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Mr Hurley then signed the proclamation to complete the ceremony.

The governor-general opened his acceptance speech with an acknowledgement of country in Ngunnawal language, after calling for Indigenous languages to be taught more widely in schools in an Australia Day speech.

In December, he urged people to look beyond his military background after criticism that three of the last four appointments of governor-general have been retired army generals.

'Understanding people's challenges'

Mr Morrison gave some insight into his choice after appointing him late last year.

"General Hurley is known for looking people straight in the eye. Not up and not down. He was that way with those he led in the military and he's been that way as a governor and throughout his life," Mr Morrison said in December.

"Looking eye-to-eye, face-to-face, understanding people's challenges and issues one-on-one, in a very direct and very humble and a very humane way."

AAP

Facing questions about why he did not consider a woman to fill the role, Mr Morrison said Mr Hurley's selection was a "package deal" with his wife of more than 40 years.

The governor-general is appointed by the Queen in Commonwealth countries, on the advice of the prime minister, to be the representative of the Crown.

Mr Hurley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the army. </s> First he was general, then governor, and on Monday he became governor-general.

Former NSW Governor David Hurley been sworn in as Australia's vice-regal representative.

The former defence force chief assumes the post after the end of Sir Peter Cosgrove's five-year commission.

Mr Hurley became the NSW governor in 2014 after 42 years of service in the Australian Army, the last three of which he spent as chief of the defence force.

Mr Hurley, accompanied by wife Linda, received the general salute in the parliament forecourt.

In the Senate chamber, Australia's Chief Justice Susan Kiefel swore in the 27th governor-general, reading and signing the oaths of allegiance and office.

The prime minister and the governor-general signed the proclamation to complete the ceremony.

Mr Hurley opened his acceptance speech with an acknowledgement of country in Ngunnawal language.

In the Members' Hall, the national anthem and a welcome to country ceremony will be followed by speeches from Mr Morrison, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Mr Hurley.

Mr Hurley will receive a royal salute after being farewelled from parliament by Mr Morrison and wife Jenny, while the prime minister will be given a general salute.

Earlier in the year, Mr Hurley used an Australia Day speech to call for indigenous languages to be taught more widely in schools.

In December, he urged people to look beyond his military background after criticism that three of the last four appointments of governor-general have been retired army generals.

Mr Morrison gave some insight into his choice after appointing him late last year.

"General Hurley is known for looking people straight in the eye. Not up and not down. He was that way with those he led in the military and he's been that way as a governor and throughout his life," Mr Morrison said in December.

"Looking eye-to-eye, face-to-face, understanding people's challenges and issues one-on-one, in a very direct and very humble and a very humane way."

Facing questions about why he did not consider a woman to fill the role, Mr Morrison said Mr Hurley's selection was a "package deal" with his wife of more than 40 years.

The governor-general is appointed by the Queen in Commonwealth countries, on the advice of the prime minister, to be the representative of the Crown.

Mr Hurley was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993.

He was also appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the army.
David Hurley is sworn is as the 27th Governor-General of Australia, succeeding Peter Cosgrove.