Greens snub swearing in of David Hurley as 27th governor-general

Invites for David Hurley’s swearing in went out weeks ago, but the Greens were too busy to show.

The Greens missed this morning’s swearing-in of Australia’s 27th Governor-General David Hurley because its nine senators and one lower house MP were in a partyroom meeting at Parliament House.

A Greens spokesman defended the whole-of-party snubbing of the event, despite it being scheduled for at least a fortnight.

“Australian Greens MPs have been in an important partyroom meeting this morning to discuss priorities for the first week of the new parliament. We welcome David Hurley to the role of Governor-General,” the spokesman said.

The Greens senators and member were not the only crossbenchers notably absent from the Senate as General Hurley signed the oath of allegiance and the oath of office, in an audience that included lower house and upper house MPs.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was not there, although her new Queensland colleague Malcolm Roberts was in the front row representing the party.

After he was sworn in by High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel in the Senate, General Hurley spoke in the local indigenous Ngunnawal language.

General Hurley said he would use his role to reflect the character and spirit of Australians.

“I have seen this richness of spirit at work in the people and the organisations assisting our veterans, our rural communities under stress, asylum seekers who we have welcomed into our country and our indigenous brothers and sisters,” General Hurley said.

“There are countless organisations and people demonstrating how rich this country is every day. As Governor-General, I am committed absolutely to supporting these people in their work.

“Through speeches, supportive visits and the conduct of events, of encouragement and recognition, the governor-general can highlight to Australians their inherent strengths, their concern for the common good, their humanity and decency and the desire for a fair go.

“We can be informed by many sources of the ills of our society, (and) it is important that we are reminded of its goodness.”

General Hurley said he would treat community engagement tasks as seriously as his constitutional responsibilities.

“The efficient and effective performance of my responsibilities is an essential element of our democracy and I take on these responsibilities with great seriousness,” he said.

Scott Morrison said the Governor-General would find the good in Australia and “shine a light on it”.

“In a global age of fragmentation and tribalism, we have in our system a constitutional office beyond politics that enables us all to come together,” the Prime Minister said.

“The joy of this role is who you meet every single day: farmers getting on with their lives providing for their families and their communities despite crippling drought; veterans recovering from their wounds that are seen and unseen; teachers who work back late to give kids the best possible start in life.

“More than any role in public life the job of governor-general is to bring Australians together, to remind us all of our social fabric and to uplift the discouraged and to give hope.”

Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny were at the ceremony in the Senate chamber, as was Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and former Labor leader Bill Shorten..

Scott Morrison stands behind David Hurley ahead of his swearing in ceremony. Picture: AAP.

Earlier, General Hurley was welcomed into parliament by Scott Morrison ahead of being sworn in by High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel.

The former chief of the Defence Force was welcomed by the Prime Minister and military personnel outside Parliament House.

The former governor of NSW will become Australia’s 27th governor-general and the 16th to represent the Queen since she was crowned in 1952.

David Hurley arrives ahead of his swearing in ceremony at Australian Parliament House. Picture: AAP.

The Australian Federation Guard outside Parliament House ahead of David Hurley's swearing in ceremony. Picture: AAP.

‘Governator’ ready to be G-G

Australia’s new governor-general, David Hurley, will officially begin his new job today when he is sworn in by High Court Chief ­Justice Susan Kiefel.

The former chief of the Defenc­e Force and governor of NSW will become Australia’s 27th governor-general and the 16th to represent the Queen since she was crowned in 1952.

The ceremony, in the Senate chamber, will also mark the retirement of his predecessor — fellow military man Sir Peter Cosgrove.

General Hurley and his wife, Linda, travelled to London just over a fortnight ago to meet the Queen and Prince William at Buckingham Palace.

When announcing his appoint­­ment, Scott Morrison said General Hurley was the only candidat­e he had considered.

“I had only one choice, my first choice, and he is standing next to me,” the Prime Minister said.

General Hurley was a popular NSW governor, working out in his spare time with indigenous young people at a Redfern boxing gym, where he became known as “the Governator”.

Prior to his appointment as governor of NSW, General Hurley served in the Australian Army for 42 years, including as Chief of the Defence Force from 2011 to 2014.

Sir Peter, another former chief of the Defence Force, told The Australian last year that he was looking forward to taking a “back seat” on his retirement, and ­getting involved in more ­community ­projects.

“You can still add your name and any residual profile that you own to that,” Sir Peter said.

“You try not to be on the front pages.”