Can the Governor-General refuse to sign a bill?

Hi Dinky. That’s a great question!

Australia’s Governor-General can refuse to sign a bill into law but this would be an unusual action.

The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia and has a very important role in the governing of Australia. The Australian Constitution gives the Governor-General considerable power, including the authority to give Royal Assent to bills – proposed laws – passed by the 2 houses of the Australian Parliament.

Section 1 of the Constitution creates an Australian Parliament made up of the King, a Senate, and a House of Representatives. For any bill to become a law, it must be agreed to by all 3 parts of Parliament.

Most bills are introduced into the House of Representatives and, if that house agrees, the bill will then be considered by the Senate. If both houses agree then the bill can be presented to the Governor-General for the assent – agreement – of the King.

Section 58 of the Constitution tells us that the Governor-General has 4 options available to them when they receive a proposed law. The Governor-General may:


• Assent – sign – to the bill in the King's name
• Withhold assent (refuse to sign the bill into law)
• Reserve the law for the King's pleasure (his personal decision)
• Return the bill with amendments—changes—for the Parliament to consider

No Governor-General has ever refused to give Royal Assent to a bill but there have been times when the Governor-General has reserved a bill for the monarch's assent or returned a bill with suggested changes.

The Governor-General sitting at a desk signing a bill.

The Governor-General signing a bill.

Office of the Secretary to the Governor-General

The Governor-General signing a bill.

The Governor-General sitting at a desk signing a bill.

Office of the Secretary to the Governor-General

Description

The Governor-General wearing a shirt and tie sits at a desk with a pen in hand signing a piece of paper. Behind him is an Australian flag.