Governor of Western Australia

Governor of Western Australia
Badge of the governor
Flag of the Governor
Incumbent
Chris Dawson
since 15 July 2022
Viceregal
StyleHis Excellency the Honourable
ResidenceGovernment House, Perth
SeatPerth
AppointerMonarch
on the advice of the premier
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
(usually 5 years by convention)
Formation6 February 1832
First holderCaptain James Stirling
Websitegovhouse.wa.gov.au

The governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of the monarch, King Charles III. As with the other governors of the Australian states, the governor of Western Australia performs constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:

Furthermore, all bills passed by the Parliament of Western Australia require the governor's signature before they become acts and pass into law. However, since convention almost always requires the governor to act on the advice of the premier and the cabinet, such approval is almost always a formality.

Until the appointment of Sir James Mitchell in 1948, all governors of Western Australia had been British officials. After Mitchell's appointment, a further three Britons served as governor: Mitchell's two immediate successors, and then, from 1980 to 1983, Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Trowbridge who was the last non-Australian governor of any Australian state.[1]

  1. ^ Dr Geoff Gallop, Premier (13 May 2003). "Rear Admiral Sir Richard John Trowbridge Condolence Motion" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Western Australia: Western Australian Legislative Assembly. Part 1: pp. 7514–7514.