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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;

(b)      the powers, functions and authorities of the Governor‑General shall, subject to this Clause, vest in any person so appointed from time to time by Us to administer the Government of the Commonwealth only in the event of the absence out of Australia, or the death, incapacity or removal of the Governor‑General for the time being, or in the event of the Governor‑General having absented himself or herself temporarily from office for any reason;

(c)      a person so appointed shall not assume the administration of the Government of the Commonwealth –

            (i) in the event of the absence of the Governor‑General out of Australia - except at the request of the Governor‑General or the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth;

            (ii) in the event of the absence of the Governor‑General out of Australia and of the death, incapacity or absence out of Australia