Original: The early colonial governors held an almost autocratic power due to the distance from and poor communications with Great Britain , until 1824 when the New South Wales Legislative Council , Australia 's first legislative body , was appointed to advise the governor .
Simplified: The first governors had almost autocratic powers due to the distance from and poor communications with Great Britain . In 1824 the New South Wales Legislative Council , Australia 's first legislature , was appointed to help the governor .