Commander-in-Chief (Australia)

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Commander-in-Chief of The Australian Defence Force
Ensign of the Australian Defence Force
David Hurley official photo (cropped)
Incumbent
David Hurley
as the representative of the King of Australia Charles III[1]
since 1 July 2019
StyleHis Excellency Governor-General
Member of Federal Executive Council (Australia)
ResidenceGovernment House, Canberra
Seat Canberra
Nominator Prime Minister of Australia
AppointerMonarch of Australia on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia
First holderJohn Hope
Salary$495,000 AUD
Websitehttps://www.gg.gov.au/

The Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force is a position established through the Constitution of Australia that is held by the Governor-General of Australia.[2] The Commander-in-Chief commands the Australian Defence Force, however there is no requirement for the officeholder to have previous military service. The Commander-in-Chief acts on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia, and the Minister for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force exercise "general control and administration" and "command" of the ADF respectively under the terms of the Defence Act 1903.[3]

From 1 July 2024, Samantha Mostyn will be inaugurated as the new Commander-in-Chief of the ADF, ex officio via her role as Governor-General of Australia.[4] Mostyn will be the second woman to hold the role, since Quentin Bryce exited her tenure of the role in 2014.[5]

Role[edit]

The role of the Commander-in-Chief is to, on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia, command the Australian Defence Force, its associated personnel, and activities.[3] The Commander-in-Chief hosts and attends ceremonies to decorate military personnel, attends military parades and displays.[6] The role is largely ceremonial, and a remnant from the former British Empire, as it acts on the advice of the Prime Minister, whilst being the Federal representative of the Monarch of Australia.[2] This effectively provides the officeholder with minimal powers de facto.

Although the Governor General is Commander-in-Chief members of the ADF take an Oath to serve the Monarch of Australia and to resist their enemies.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Constitution of Australia, SECT 68 Command of naval and military forces". austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  2. ^ a b "Governor-General - Parliamentary Education Office". peo.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  3. ^ a b "Who is Australia's Commander-in-Chief?". Constitution Education Fund Australia. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  4. ^ Press, Australian Associated (2024-04-02). "Sam Mostyn announced as next governor general of Australia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  5. ^ "First female prime minister and governor-general | Australia's Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia". digital-classroom.nma.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  6. ^ corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra. "Chapter II. The Executive Government". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-03-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)