Administrator (Australia)

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The title Administrator of the Government (Administrator) has several uses in Australia.

1 Administrator of the Commonwealth
2 Administrator of a State
3 Administrator of the Northern Territory
4 Administrators of the Northern Territory since Self-Government
5 External link

[edit] Administrator of the Commonwealth

At the Commonwealth level, Section 4 of the Australian Constitution provides that:

The provisions of this Constitution relating to the Governor-General extend and apply to the Governor-General for the time being, or such person as the Queen may appoint to administer the Government of the Commonwealth; but no such person shall be entitled to receive any salary from the Commonwealth in respect of any other office during his administration of the Government of the Commonwealth.

Following this provision, when the Governor-General dies, resigns or is absent from Australia, an Administrator is appointed. The Administrator is styled either Administrator of the Commonwealth or, less commonly, Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth.

By convention, the Administrator is usually the longest-serving state Governor, who holds a dormant commission from the Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II) which comes into effect in these circumstances. For example, in May 2003 when Dr Peter Hollingworth stood aside as Governor-General, Tasmanian Governor Sir Guy Green was appointed Administrator.

[edit] Administrator of a State

In the Australian states, when the Governor dies, resigns or is absent, an Administrator is appointed; s/he is usually by default the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, and would assume the role of Acting Governor.

[edit] Administrator of the Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, which is not a state and does not have a Governor, but which is self-governing with its own legislature and executive, the role of the Crown is filled by an Administrator appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978.