The role of the Governor

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young PSM is the 27th Governor of Queensland and representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queensland’s Head of State. The Governor is appointed by The Queen upon advice provided to her by the Premier of Queensland.

The original Commission of Appointment issued by The Queen provides the authority under which the Governor performs her duties. Many of these duties are formalised within the Queensland Constitution and Acts of the State Parliament.

Queensland’s first Governor was appointed in 1859 when Queensland was separated from New South Wales as a self-governing colony. At the time, Queensland did not have a substantive government, so Governor George Bowen ruled alongside Colonial Secretary, R. G. W. Herbert, who later became Queensland’s first Premier in 1860.

In modern day Queensland, while the Governor does not participate in the political process, the Governor acts upon the advice given by members of Executive Council. He or she performs a number of important duties that ensures Queensland enjoys a stable Parliament and political process.