Who has more power, the Prime Minister or the Governor-General?

Thank you for a very interesting question.

In our system of government, the Prime Minister and Governor-General have different roles and different powers.

The powers of the Prime Minister come from the fact that they are the leader of the Australian Government. These powers include:

  • making day-to-day decisions about how Australia is run
  • selecting members of the government to be ministers
  • representing the Australian Government overseas
  • advising the Governor-General about constitutional issues, as well as the appointment of ambassadors and justices of the High Court of Australia.

 The Governor-General is the King’s representative in Australia. The Australian Constitution gives the Governor-General powers to help ensure Australia is governed by the rules set out in the Constitution. For example, once a bill – proposed law – is passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, it can only become a law if the Governor-General assents – agrees – to it on behalf of the King. The Governor-General may recommend changes to a bill; however, no Governor-General has ever refused to give Royal Assent.

The Governor-General sits in the Senate for the opening of Parliament.

The Governor-General delivers a speech at the opening of a new Parliament

Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic

The Governor-General delivers a speech at the opening of a new Parliament

The Governor-General sits in the Senate for the opening of Parliament.

Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic

Description

The Governor-General gives a speech in the Senate at the opening of a new Parliament. There is a raised platform where the Governor-General sits in a large wooden chair speaking into a microphone. The President of the Senate is sitting in a high backed chair to the left of the Governor-General. Three people stand behind the chairs under a wood and metal representation of the Australian coat-of-arms. Senators and other dignitaries sit around the end of a T-shaped table and in rows around the room. 

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.