Appointment of a new Governor-General of Australia

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Australia, has been pleased to approve the appointment of Ms Quentin Bryce as the next Governor-General of Australia.

Further information

Her Excellency Ms Bryce was appointed in July 2003 as the 24th Governor of Queensland.

During her career, she has worked as a lawyer, academic and senior public office holder.

Her former roles include Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, inaugural Director of the Queensland Women's Information Service and founding chair and Chief Executive Officer of the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Ms Bryce will be sworn in as Australia's 25th Governor-General on 5 September 2008. Ms Bryce will be Australia's first female Governor-General.

Although the appointment is at The Queen's pleasure, a five-year term is considered usual.

Ms Bryce and her husband, Adjunct Professor Michael Bryce AM AE, were married in 1964. They have two daughters, three sons and five grandchildren.