Women
First woman Governor-General
05 September 2008
Quentin Bryce becomes Australia’s first woman Governor-General.
On 5 September 2008 the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO was sworn in as Australia’s 25th Governor-General. A lawyer, academic and community and human rights advocate, as Governor-General Ms Bryce used her leadership experience to represent Australia. After her term finished in 2014, she continued to be active in public life, including serving as chair of the Queensland Government’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence.
The Governor-General is the monarch’s representative in Australia. Since the Australia Act 1986 the only action performed by the monarch directly under the Australian Constitution is the appointment of the Governor-General, which they do on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor-General performs all the functions of the monarch, such as signing bills into law, and has reserve powers which may, in exceptional circumstances, be used without ministerial advice.
The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, 2014.
Ralph Heimans (born 1970). Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services.
The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, 2014.
Ralph Heimans (born 1970). Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services.
Description
Ralph Heimans painted this portrait of the first woman Governor-General in 2014. It is part of the Historic Memorials Collection in the Parliament House Art Collection.
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123