MEDIA RELEASE BY THE PRIME MINISTER - MAJOR GENERAL JEFFERY AS AUSTRALIA'S 24th GOVERNOR-GENERAL

16 June 2006

Further information from the Announcement of Major General Jeffery as Australia's 24th Governor-General

The term of office of a Governor-General is, formally, at royal pleasure.

When His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC was appointed in June 2003 I said that the expectation was for him to serve between three and four years.

The Governor-General has carried out his duties with great dignity and distinction. He is widely respected by Australians and has represented our country abroad on a number of important occasions.

Her Majesty the Queen, has, on my advice, agreed that Major General Jeffery will serve as Governor-General for a further period of at least two years from now.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I wish the Governor-General and Mrs Jeffery well for the remainder of his time in office.