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Question

Difficulty: MediumThe King and the Monarchy

The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. According to Australian constitutional practice, how is the person for this role chosen?

  1. The King appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Australian Prime MinisterAnswer
  2. B
    The Governor-General is elected by a majority vote of the Australian people
  3. C
    The King chooses the Governor-General independently without consulting the Australian Government

Answer

The King appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister
The correct answer is that the King appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister. This reflects the core principle of a constitutional monarchy, where the Head of State acts on the formal recommendations of the democratically elected head of government.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the relationship between the King and the Governor-General.
The Governor-General serves as the King's representative for the entire nation of Australia.
Since the King does not reside in Australia, a local representative is required for constitutional functions.
2
Analyze the 'constitutional' constraint on the Monarch's powers.
The King's powers are defined by the Australian Constitution and long-standing conventions.
Constitutional monarchy ensures that the symbolic Head of State acts in accordance with democratic principles.
3
Determine the specific process for selecting the representative.
The Australian Prime Minister provides a formal recommendation (advice) to the King, which the King then follows to make the appointment.
This process ensures the representative is acceptable to the elected government of Australia.

Key Concept

Constitutional appointment and the role of the Monarch's representative

Hints

1
Consider if the Governor-General is a political leader chosen by voters or a representative of the Crown.
2
Recall that in a 'constitutional' monarchy, the King's actions are guided by the elected government.
3
The most senior elected official, the Prime Minister, plays a key role in recommending who should fill the Governor-General's position.

Practice More

Review how the King is represented at the state level by State Governors.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The King and the Monarchy

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