The Nomination of the Governor-General

A PETITION TO AMEND THE PROCESS OF NOMINATING A FUTURE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

In 1931 the then Prime Minister of Australia, James Scullin, nominated an Australian for appointment as Governor-General.  This was the first time that a Dominion government, other than the Irish Free State, had done so and this created great concerns in the United Kingdom, the heart of the Empire of which Australia was then a loyal member.

Prior to making the nomination, Scullin discussed the matter with his Cabinet colleagues but, despite this, the King, George V, was not in favour of the nomination mainly because:

1) Isaacs was an Australian and it was felt that the Governor-General of a Dominion (which was what today’s realms were called) should be from outside the country to ensure total impartiality from politics.

2) Although at the time Chief Justice, Isaacs had earlier been a member of parliament and a minister.

However, the King and the British/Empire government ultimately allowed the nomination to proceed and formally appointed Sir Isaac Isaacs as the first Australian born Governor-General of Australia.

This process of consultation continued until Bob Hawke decided, by himself, to nominate Bill Hayden to be Governor-General.  (By doing so he removed a potential threat to himself from within his Cabinet.)  Since then, successive prime ministers have selected nominees by themselves, often to suit themselves. 

This is inherently wrong and against all democratic principles. We believe that the prime minister should not, by himself, nominate to the highest office in the land but neither do we agree with any form of election for Governor-General whether by the houses of parliament or by the people which would be similar to the confirmation process fiascos we see in the United States of America. 

Prime Minister Albanese with his personal pick for Governor-General, Sam Mostyn ----------------------------------------------

We are proposing that the nomination for the office of Governor-General should be made as a matter of consensus between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.  In this manner the confidentiality of the nomination together with the privacy of the nominee, would be maintained and any controversial or bipartisan appointment will also likely be avoided.

We will be petitioning both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, as well as others and earnestly request you to sign this petition.  Only names will be submitted in the petition. Whatever other information you have provided are for our own purposes and the confidentiality of signers will be maintained at all times.

Thank you.