What are the Governor-General’s duties?
The Governor-General has several titles (including Chancellor of the Order of Australia and Commander in Chief) and carries out all the ceremonial duties of a head of state. The Governor-General’s duties include: • administering the oath of office to ministers, judges, and other officials • meeting foreign heads of state and ambassadors • formally awarding honours and decorations as Chancellor of the Order of Australia • exercising powers as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. The Minister for Defence formally advises the Governor-General on behalf of the executive government of the associated powers • officiating at the opening of a new session of parliament when all members and senators gather in the Senate chamber and the Governor-General reads a speech that sets out what the new government intends to do • attending Anzac Day ceremonies and opening many public conferences and exhibitions • supporting many worthy organisations • meeting as many Australians as possible to get
