[Australia]: Message to Her Majesty The Queen [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[Owen]

​

PRIME MINISTER​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: OFFICIAL​

18 November 2008

Dear Your Majesty, It is my pleasure to recommend to you the appointment of General (ret.) Peter John Cosgrove, AC, CVO, MC to the role of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, commencing in the role on the 1st of December, 2008. The appointment has the unanimous approval of the Cabinet and the Federal Executive Council of Australia. General Cosgrove served as Chief of the Defence Force from 2001 to 2006, is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon and the National Defence College of India and prior to his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force, has previously served as Chief of Army, Forces Commander, Commander of 1st Division, Commander of 6th Brigade and Commander of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. General Cosgrove began his career as an officer in the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and served during the Vietnam War before becoming an Aide-de-Camp to Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck. Outgoing Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce has asked me to pass on her personal thanks to yourself for the communications and dedication you have shown her in the past 7 years as Governor-General. I would also like to recommend changes to the use of the title "the Right Honourable" in Australia, as follows, pending your approval: RULES FOR THE GRANT, USE AND RETENTION OF THE TITLE "THE RIGHT HONOURABLE" IN AUSTRALIA Her Majesty The Queen has approved the following rules for the grant, use and retention of the title "The Right Honourable" in Australia: The title "The Right Honourable" (abbreviated to "The Rt. Hon.") is granted to and may be used and retained for life by those persons who currently hold, and those persons who after the date of the signing of these rules are appointed to, the following offices: The Governor-General The Governors of the states The Prime Minister The President of the Senate The Speaker of the House of Representatives The Chief Justice Persons who are entitled to use the title The Right Honourable and who are also members of The Most Honourable Privy Council may use the letters "PC" after their name to denote such membership. The Prime Minister of Australia shall not make any further suggestions to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of persons to be recommended to Her Majesty The Queen for appointment to The Most Honourable Privy Council in the United Kingdom. These rules do not affect the rights and privileges of any Australians who have already been appointed to the Most Honourable Privy Council. Her Majesty The Queen may remove the right of any person referred to in rule 1 to use the title "The Right Honourable", if advised to do so by the Prime Minister of Australia. We hope for a swift approval of this appointment to continue the important constitutional role that the Governor-General plays in Australia and to maintain our necessary connection to the Crown. Yours sincerely, The Honourable Julia Gillard.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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Jamie