2 ms·

> we yanked that in Australia after the events known as "The Dismissal" I don’t believe we did. The governor general still has the power to dissolve the house

> we yanked that in Australia after the events known as "The Dismissal" I don’t believe we did. The governor general still has the power to dissolve the house of representatives in the constitution which is remarkably hard to change. > The Governor-General may appoint such times for holding the sessions of the Parliament as he thinks fit, and may also from time to time, by Proclamation or otherwise, prorogue the Parliament, and may in like manner dissolve the House of Representatives. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Constitution/chapter1/Part_1_-_General#chapter-01_part-01_02 https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practi...

defrost 4y ago
I'd have to dig about but I do recall there were changes to the fine print that added guard rails to the GG's powers to independantly do such things. Eg: Most recently the GG "sanctified" | "blessed" | "made official" the extra and additional ministerial roles taken on by the former Prime Minister (Scotty from Marketing) but that wasn't (IIRC) an independent action by the GG, just an official Head of State recognition of a decision already made by the political body. I think that the very fine print in Australia these days is that even if the GG refuses to perform these official blessings they go ahead anyway, and I don't think such things can be keep secret anymore either after Scotty's bit of non transparent role expansion. I freely confess to be a lot more on the ball about all that 15 odd years back and really not caring much these days though.
- jackvalentine 4y ago
  I think you're going to be quite disappointed with the sheer massive powers the GG still retains without restraint :) Convention is what keeps the GG doing what the PM asks. They can still go completely rogue until the sovereign removes them.

defrost 4y ago

I'd have to dig about but I do recall there were changes to the fine print that added guard rails to the GG's powers to independantly do such things. Eg: Most recently the GG "sanctified" | "blessed" | "made official" the extra and additional ministerial roles taken on by the former Prime Minister (Scotty from Marketing) but that wasn't (IIRC) an independent action by the GG, just an official Head of State recognition of a decision already made by the political body. I think that the very fine print in Australia these days is that even if the GG refuses to perform these official blessings they go ahead anyway, and I don't think such things can be keep secret anymore either after Scotty's bit of non transparent role expansion. I freely confess to be a lot more on the ball about all that 15 odd years back and really not caring much these days though.

jackvalentine 4y ago
I think you're going to be quite disappointed with the sheer massive powers the GG still retains without restraint :) Convention is what keeps the GG doing what the PM asks. They can still go completely rogue until the sovereign removes them.