On Wednesday 22 October 2014, following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC.

In the Middle East, the Governor-General, as a guest of the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, Major General Craig Orme AM CSC, visited Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operations Slipper (Afghanistan), Okra (Iraq), Manitou (maritime environment) and Accordion (support to personnel deployed across the Middle East Region).

At Camp Baird, the Australian domestic compound at Australia’s main base in the Middle East, named in honour of Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, the Governor-General laid a wreath in memory of the 41 Australian soldiers killed on operations in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday 21 October 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove hosted a welcome reception for the 2014 Emerging Pacific Leaders’ Dialogue.

On Monday 20 October 2014, at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove as guests of the President of the Royal Brisbane Hospital Nurses’ Association, Ms Cluny Seager, attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General officially opened the ‘Brisbane Hospital and the Great War’ exhibition.

Afterwards, in Wamuran, the Governor-General, as guest of the President, Mr John Vayne, officially opened the Wamuran and District Men’s Shed.

At the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, QLD, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the President of the Royal Brisbane Hospital Nurses' Association Inc, Ms Cluny Seager, viewed the 'Brisbane Hospital and the Great War' exhibition, before it was officially opened by the Governor-General.

At Wamuran, QLD, the Governor-General, as guest of the President, Mr John Vayne, officially opened the Wamuran and District Men's Shed.

In Scarborough, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Hibernian Friendly Society, Mr Marcus Riley, attended a reception at which the Governor-General officially opened the BallyCara Wellness Centre and Amicus Apartments.

On Saturday 18 October 2014, at Clare, South Australia, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the President of the Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society, Mr David Bond, attended the 2014 Clare Show at which the Governor-General delivered the opening address in recognition of the show’s 150th anniversary.

Afterwards, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, the Governor-General, as Patron of the Australian Rugby Union, and Lady Cosgrove, attended the 3rd Bledisloe Cup.

At the Clare Showground, Clare, SA, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the President of the Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society, Mr David Bond, attended the 150th Clare Show, at which the Governor-General delivered the opening address and launched the "Clare Show, A Fine All Round Display" history book.