Hurley named Australia’s next governor-general
65 year old is second ex-defence forces chief to assume the role
Aformer chief of Australia’s defence forces was yesterday appointed the next governor-general, the representative of Britain’s Queen, but will only assume the role after crucial state and federal elections next year.
Retired general David Hurley, 65, will be the second ex-defence forces chief to assume the role, which is largely ceremonial in the constitutional monarchy but with the power to intervene in the government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison — whose embattled Conservative coalition could be turfed out in next year’s national poll — said he had chosen Hurley to ensure “stability, continuity, certainty”.
“I had only one choice, my first choice, and he is standing next to me,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra. “I was looking for someone who could fill that constitutional role with great dignity, but with a levelness.”
Morrison’s call for stability contrasts with the turbulent political climate in Canberra.
Australia has had a revolving door of prime ministers in recent years, with major parties Liberal and Labor ousting their leaders while they were in power.
Morrison is expected to call the federal election in mid-May, while the poll in Australia’s most populous state New South Wales, which also has an incumbent conservative government, is tipped for March.
Amid poor opinion poll numbers, there are fears within the coalition that they will lose power to Labor at the federal election.