View source for Governor of Victoria

{{Short description|Representative of the monarch in Victoria}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                 = Governor
| body                 = Victoria
| insignia             = Coat_of_Arms_of_Victoria.svg
| insigniacaption      = [[Coat of Arms of Victoria]]
| flag                 = Flag of the Governor of Victoria.svg
| flagsize             = 160px
| flagcaption          = [[#Governor's personal standard|Personal standard]]
| image                = Governor of Victoria Portrait.jpg
| imagesize            = 150px
| incumbent            = [[Margaret Gardner]]
| incumbentsince       = {{Start date and age|2023|8|9|df=yes|p=yes}}
| department           = [[Viceroy#Commonwealth realms|Viceregal]]
| style                = [[Excellency|Her Excellency]] [[the Honourable]]
| residence            = [[Government House, Melbourne]]
| seat                 = [[Melbourne]]
| appointer            = [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]]
| appointer_qualified  = on the [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] of the [[Premier of Victoria|premier]]
| termlength           = [[At His Majesty's pleasure]]
| termlength_qualified = (typically 5 years)
| formation            = {{Start date and age|1855|05|22|df=yes|p=yes}}
| first                = [[Charles Hotham]]
| deputy               = [[Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria]]
| salary               = $517,650 (2025)<ref name="judge-pay"/><ref name="vic constitution s.7"/>
| website = {{URL|governor.vic.gov.au}}
}}

The '''governor of Victoria''' is the representative of [[Monarchy of Australia|the monarch]], currently {{Current Australian monarch |King |Charles III}}, in the [[Australia]]n state of [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]]. The governor has many constitutional and ceremonial roles in the [[Politics of Australia|Victorian political system]]; however, they are generally bound by [[Convention (political norm)|convention]] to act on the advice of the [[Premier of Victoria|premier]] and the [[Executive council (Commonwealth countries)|Executive Council of Victoria]].<ref name="gov's role">{{cite web |title=Governor's role |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/governors-role |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=5 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=26 June 2025}}</ref> They also have a significant community role, through investing [[Australian honours and awards system|Australian Honours]] on behalf of the [[Governor-General of Australia|governor-general]], patronage of community organisations, and representing the state as a whole. The current governor is [[Margaret Gardner]].<ref>{{cite web |title=No. S 427 Wednesday 9 August 2023 |url=https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2023/GG2023S427.pdf |website=Victorian Government Gazette |publisher=Victorian Government Printer |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref>

Significant functions of the governor include giving [[royal assent]] to bills passed by [[Parliament of Victoria|the houses of parliament]], issuing [[writs for election]]s, exercising executive power on the advice of the Victorian Executive Council, formally appointing government officials (including the premier, other ministers, judges and officials), opening sessions of state parliament, and presenting [[Australian honours and awards system|Australian honours]].<ref name="gov's role" /> Although Australia has a federal system of government, the governor is the direct representative of the monarch and is not subordinate to the governor-general.<ref name="gov in aus">{{cite web |title=Government in Australia |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/government-australia |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

In almost all instances, the governor only exercises ''[[de jure]]'' power in accordance with the principles of the [[Westminster system]] and [[responsible government]]. This requires them to remain politically neutral and to only act in accordance with [[Parliament of Victoria|Parliament]] (such as when selecting the premier and providing [[royal assent]]) or on the [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] of ministers (when performing executive actions).<ref name="vpsc">{{cite web |title=Governor, Ministers and ministerial officers |url=https://www.vpsc.vic.gov.au/ethics-behaviours-culture/codes-of-conduct/guide-for-ministerial-officers-in-the-victorian-public-sector/governor-ministers-and-ministerial-officers/ |website=Victorian Public Service Commission |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref> In certain limited circumstances, the governor can exercise [[reserve power]]s (powers that may be exercised without or against formal advice). Governors are rarely called upon to exercise these reserve powers in the modern period. However, as the [[Legislative Council of Victoria]] has always had a majority of elected members, and the [[Legislative Council of Victoria]] had three major parties forming ministries, the government of Victoria prior to 1960 required more active involvement by the governors than in the other Australian states. [[Charles Henry Darling|Sir Charles Darling]] in 1868 and [[George Bowen|Sir George Bowen]] in 1879 were both recalled for their poor management of constitutional crises, while premiers [[Albert Dunstan]] in 1945, [[Thomas Hollway]] in 1952 and [[John Cain (34th Premier of Victoria)|John Cain Sr.]] in 1955 all lost office due to [[Loss of supply|failing to maintain supply]].<ref name="veiled sceptre">{{cite book |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |title=The veiled sceptre: reserve powers of heads of state in Westminster systems |date=2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, VIC |isbn=9781107297845}}</ref> The governors consulted [[Chief Justice of Victoria|Victoria's Chief Justice]] for advice on their exercise of the reserve powers, with [[Dallas Brooks|Sir Dallas Brooks]] also consulting the [[Chief Justice of Australia|Chief Justice of the High Court]], Victorian [[Owen Dixon|Sir Owen Dixon]], during the 1955 incident.<ref name="veiled sceptre" />

In their ceremonial and community roles, the governor represents the state as a whole. Domestically, this role entails attending services and commemorations, sponsoring community organisations and hosting events at their official residence, [[Government House, Melbourne|Government House]], located next to the [[Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria|Royal Botanic Gardens]] and surrounded by [[Kings Domain]] in [[Melbourne]]. The governor also promotes Victoria's economic, social and cultural interests abroad and is entitled to travel on an Australian diplomatic passport on official business.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ministerial Schedules: Sponsored Passports (RES043742) |url=https://www.passports.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-01/Ministerial%20Schedules%20%20Sponsored%20Passports.pdf |website=Australian Passport Office |publisher=[[Australian Passport Office]] |access-date=5 October 2025 |date=February 2018}}</ref> The governor is supported an [[Official Secretary to the Governor|Official Secretary]], and the Office of the Governor, an administrative office within the [[Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria)|Department of Premier and Cabinet]] which employed 47 [[Full-time equivalent|FTE]] staff in 2024.<ref name="DPC annual report 2024">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2023–2024 |url=https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/DPC-2023-24-Annual-Report_FA03.pdf |website=Department of Premier and Cabinet |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref>

The governor is selected by the premier and formally appointed by the monarch on the premier's advice. The term of office is [[At His Majesty's pleasure|not fixed]], but they typically serve for five years. Between Victoria's separation from the Colony of New South Wales in 1851 and 1900, ten British-born officials served as governor, including [[Charles La Trobe]] and [[Charles Hotham]], who were titled ''Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria'' until the colony achieved [[responsible government]] in 1855. Three of these colonial governors were [[British nobility|minor British nobility]], the other seven came from the [[landed gentry]]. Since [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in 1901, the position was held by a series of minor British nobles, including [[William Vanneck, 5th Baron Huntingfield|Baron Huntingfield]], the first person born in Australia to serve as governor in any state,<ref>{{cite web |last1=De Serville |first1=Paul H. |title=fifth Baron Huntingfield (1883–1969) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/huntingfield-fifth-baron-6773 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> however Victoria was the last state to begin appointing Australians as governor on a regular basis.<ref name="chameleon 33">{{cite book |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |author1-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=The chameleon Crown: The Queen and her Australian governors |date=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |location=Sydney |isbn=978-186287-629-3 |page=33 |url=http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862876293}}</ref> The first Australian appointed governor was [[Henry Winneke|Sir Henry Winneke]] in 1974,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waugh |first1=John |title=Sir Henry Arthur Winneke (1908–1985) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/winneke-sir-henry-arthur-15768 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> and all governors since have been Australian citizens. Several governors since 1974 were born overseas, namely [[Davis McCaughey]] (born in Ireland) came to Australia for work<ref>{{cite web |title=Davis McCaughey Ecumenist who proved an inspired governor in Australia |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/australasia-travel/australia/davis-mccaughey-n2jww628jmj |work=[[The Times]] |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en |date=3 May 2005}}</ref> and [[David de Kretser]] (born in [[British Ceylon|Ceylon]], now [[Sri Lanka]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Professor David de Kretser, reproductive biologist and endocrinologist |url=https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-david-de-kretser |website=Australian Academy of Science |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>) and [[Alex Chernov]] (born in [[Lithuania]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Chernov, Alex - Biographical entry |url=https://umpc.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/biogs/E000770b.htm |website=The University of Melbourne Perpetual Calendar |publisher=The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en-gb}}</ref>), both of whom came to Australia while at school. The first woman to be appointed governor was [[Linda Dessau]], who served from 2015 to 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Premier Announces 29th Governor of Victoria |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier-announces-29th-governor-victoria |website=Premier of Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-au}}</ref>

== Appointment ==
The governor is formally appointed by the [[monarch of Australia|monarch]] with a commission<ref>{{cite web |title=Commission passed under the Royal Sign Manual and the Public Seal of the State of Victoria appointing PROFESSOR MARGARET ELAINE GARDNER AC to be the Governor of the State of Victoria in the Commonwealth of Australia |url=https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2023/GG2023S427.pdf |website=Victorian Government Gazette |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref> made under the authority of section 6 of the [[Constitution of Victoria|Victorian Constitution]].<ref name="vic constitution s.6">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.6 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>  When a new governor is to be appointed, the current premier recommends a name to the monarch, who by convention accepts that [[Advice (constitutional law)|recommendation]].<ref name="Australia Act s.7" /> Prior to 1986, the governor was appointed by the [[monarch of the United Kingdom]] acting on the advice of the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies|Colonial Secretary]] (after 1966, the [[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]]), although local recommendations were considered and usually accepted by the British minister.

The incoming governor is publicly announced usually several months before the end of the existing governor's term. After receiving their commission, the new governor takes an [[Oath of Allegiance (Australia)#Victoria|oath or affirmation of allegiance]] to the monarch and an oath or affirmation of office.<ref name="vic constitution s.6" /> These oaths are administered by the [[chief justice of Victoria]] or another justice of the [[Supreme Court of Victoria|Supreme Court]]. Traditionally, the ceremony takes place in the [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] chamber, although between 2001 and 2015 it was conducted at Government House.<ref name="inauguation">{{cite web |title=Inaugurations through the years |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/inaugurations-through-years |website=Government House Melbourne |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=25 June 2025}}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
The [[Constitution of Victoria|Victorian Constitution]] does not set a term of office, so a governor may continue to hold office for any agreed length of time. The typical term of office is five years, although after this initial term, a commission may be extended. The term of [[Linda Dessau]] was extended by three years in June 2020, due to the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Of Victoria's Term Extended |url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/governor-victorias-term-extended |website=Premier of Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-au}}</ref> This made Deassau the longest-serving governor since Major General [[Rohan Delacombe|Sir Rohan Delacombe]], who served 1963 to 1974.<ref name="adb-delacombe">{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Geoff |title=Sir Rohan Delacombe (1906–1991) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/delacombe-sir-rohan-17373 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

There are two other offices that are authorised to administer the government of Victoria on behalf of the governor. The [[Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria|lieutenant-governor of Victoria]] is appointed by the governor by commission under the [[Great Seal of Australia#Victoria|Public Seal of Victoria]]<ref name="lt-gov">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant-Governor's role |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/lieutenant-governors-role |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=24 June 2025}}</ref> while the [[Administrator (Australia)|administrator of Victoria]] is ''[[ex officio]]'' the chief justice of the Supreme Court, unless:
* The governor has commissioned an administrator under the Public Seal of Victoria,
* There is a vacancy in the office of chief justice,
* The chief justice is the lieutenant-governor, 
* The chief justice is unable or unwilling to act as administrator, or 
* The chief justice is not in Victoria.
In these cases, the administrator is the next most senior justice of the supreme course who is in Victoria, willing and able to act as administrator.<ref name="vic constitution s.6A">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.6A |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>

The lieutenant-governor may assume the administration of the government of the state when:
* there is a vacancy in the office of Governor, 
* the governor has assumed the administration of the government of the Commonwealth, 
* the governor is absent from the state, or 
* the governor is otherwise unable or unwilling to perform their role. 
The administrator may assume the administration of the government of the state in the same situations, but not when there is a lieutenant-governor who is in Victoria, willing and able to assume the administration of the government.<ref name="vic constitution s.6B">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.6B |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>

The governor may also appoint the lieutenant governor or administrator as their deputy to perform some or all of the functions of the governor on behalf of the governor while the governor is exercising the office.<ref name="vic constitution s.6C">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.6C |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Dismissal ===
A governor may be dismissed by the monarch before their term is complete. Since the passage of the ''[[Australia Act 1986]]'' the monarch may only dismiss a governor on advice from the premier, who is responsible for selecting an immediate replacement or letting the vacancy provisions take effect.<ref name="Australia Act s.7" /> Prior to 1986, the governors were dismissed, or recalled to the [[United Kingdom]], by the monarch of the United Kingdom.

== Constitutional role ==
{{Politics of Australia sidebar}}
The governor has a key role in performing constitutional duties in all branches of government of the state. The governor also has a subsidiary role performing some constitutional duties relating to the government of the Commonwealth.

=== Role in the Victorian Parliament ===
The Victorian Constitution defines the [[Parliament of Victoria]] as consisting of the monarch, the [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] and the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]. However, the monarch's role is no more than titular, with the governor responsible under the Victorian Constitution and ''Australia Act 1986''<ref name="Australia Act s.7">{{cite web |title=''Australia Act 1986'', s.7" |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03181/asmade/text |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=6 October 2025 |date=4 December 1985}}</ref> for all of the functions undertaken by the monarch in regard to the [[UK parliament]]. These include the power to summon, dissolve and prorogue the Parliament, to issue writs for elections, as well as the power to give royal assent to bills in the monarch's name.<ref name="vic constitution s.12">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.12 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>

The governor also has a ceremonial role in swearing in and accepting the resignations of members of Parliament. All members must make an [[Oath of Allegiance (Australia)#Victoria|oath or affirmation of allegiance]] to the King in the presence of the governor or someone appointed by them before they take their seats.<ref name="vic constitution s.23">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.23 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>  On the day parliament opens, the governor makes a speech in the Legislative Council (similar to the [[Speech from the throne|King's Speech]] in the UK), entirely written by the government, explaining the government's proposed legislative program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria's 60th Parliament opened by Governor - |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/news/general-news/60thopens/ |website=Parliament of Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

One of the most significant powers of the governor is the power to grant [[royal assent]] in the King's name.<ref name="vic constitution s.12" /> This assent gives bills that have been passed by the houses of parliament the force of law. It is unclear whether the governor acts on the advice of the government when giving assent, with previous governors giving conflicting views. Previously the Executive Council advised the granting of assent, but since 1996 a standing instruction has been given by the premier stating assent should be given in the absence of advice otherwise.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Murray |first=Kate |title=Royal assent in Victoria |journal=Australasian Parliamentary Review |volume=23 |issue=2 |page=57}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Waugh |first=John |date=February 2006 |title=Government Control of Royal Assent in Victoria |journal=Constitutional Law and Policy Review |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=71–2}}</ref> This differs from Commonwealth and other state vice-regal representatives (with the exception of South Australia) who are not given advice regarding royal assent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Twomey |first=Anne |title=The Veiled Sceptre: Reserve Powers of Heads of State in Westminster Systems |date=2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-29784-5 |series=Cambridge studies in constitutional law |location=Port Melbourne, VIC |pages=629–30}}</ref> Assent has not been refused since the early days of [[responsible government]]. In 1857, Governor [[Henry Barkly|Sir Henry Barkly]] refused assent to the Oaths of Office Bill 1857 on the grounds that it conflicted with an act of the [[UK Parliament|Imperial Parliament]] (the ''[[Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829]]''). The next year, he similarly refused to assent to the Duration of Parliament Bill 1858, which aimed to alter the new constitution, but had not been passed in the manner required for constitutional alterations. In both cases, Barker assented to replacement bills that he did not consider to be beyond the power of the colonial parliament.<ref name="assent refused">{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Greg |title=Two Refusals of Royal Assent in Victoria |journal=Sydney Law Review |date=2007 |volume=29 |issue=1 |url=https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/SydLawRw/2007/3.html |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

Prior to the ''[[Australia Act 1986]]'', the ''[[Australian Constitutions Act 1850]]'' (UK) authorised the governor to reserve a bill for the monarch's pleasure, that is allow the monarch to give royal assent personally to a proposed bill.<ref name="australian constitutions act">{{cite web |title=Australian Constitutions Act 1850 |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/vic3_doc_1851.pdf |website=foundingdocs.gov.au |publisher=Museum of Australian Democracy |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Australia Act s.8">{{cite web |title=''Australia Act 1986'', s.8" |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03181/asmade/text |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=6 October 2025 |date=4 December 1985}}</ref> When the governor acted as a representative of the British government, this provision allowed for the governor to refer a bill back to the British government for review, which would then advise the monarch whether or not to grant assent. Since the passage of the ''Australia Act 1986'', the powers of the monarch in relation to the state - save for the power to appoint the governor - are exercised by the governor.<ref name="Australia Act s.7" /> Under the ''Australian Constitutions Act 1842'' (UK), the British government could also advise the monarch to disallow a law passed within the last two years, which would annul the law on the governor's proclamation or message to the parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Constitutions Act 1842 |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/nsw9i_doc_1842.pdf |website=foundingdocs.gov.au |publisher=Museum of Australian Democracy |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref> This power was also removed by the ''Australia Act 1986''.<ref name="Australia Act s.9">{{cite web |title=''Australia Act 1986'', s.9" |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03181/asmade/text |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=6 October 2025 |date=4 December 1985}}</ref>

Finally, the governor can refer a bill back to the houses with suggested changes.<ref name="vic constitution s.14">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.14 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>

===Role in executive government===
Executive powers vested in governor by statute or as part of the prerogative are exercised on the advice of ministers in accordance with the principles of [[responsible government]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=Greg |title=The constitution of Victoria |last2=Economou |first2=Nicolas |date=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |isbn=978-1-86287-612-5 |location=Annandale, NSW |pages=93–101}}</ref> This occurs formally through the [[Executive council (Commonwealth countries)|Executive Council]], a body of all current (and technically former) ministers that advises the governor.<ref name="Cabinet handbook">{{cite web |title=Cabinet handbook |url=https://www.vic.gov.au/cabinet-handbook |website=vic.gov.au |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=31 December 2024}}</ref> Such advice is generally the result of decisions already made in [[Cabinet of Victoria|Cabinet]], the ''de facto'' highest executive body in Victoria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Nov 2023 |title=Cabinet |url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/parliament-and-its-people/government/cabinet |access-date= |website=Parliamentary Education Office |language=en}}</ref>

Formally, the governor exercises the traditional rights of the monarch as identified by [[Bagehot]]: the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn.<ref name="Australia Act s.7" />

=== Role in the government of the Commonwealth ===
The role of state governors in the government of the Commonwealth is limited to the issue and return of the writs for the election of [[Australian Senate|senators]] representing their state, and the nomination of new senators to fill a [[Casual vacancies in the Australian Parliament#Senate|casual vacancy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of Australia: Part II - The Senate |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Practice_and_Procedure/Constitution/chapter1/Part_II_-_The_Senate#chapter-01_part-02_12 |website=Australian Parliament House |publisher=[[Parliament of Australia]] |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

When the [[Prime Minister of Australia|prime minister]] advises governor-general to call an election of the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] within the 12 months before the expiration of the term of half the Senate, or the [[double dissolution|dissolution of both houses of parliament]] under [[section 57 of the Australian Constitution]], they will also advise the governor-general to invite the state governors to issue the writs for the election of senators on the same date.<ref>{{cite letter |first=Anthony |last=Albanese |author-link=Anthony Albanese |recipient=Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of Australia |subject=2025 Australian federal election |language=english |date=28 March 2025 |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/20250328%20Documents%20relating%20to%20the%20calling%20of%20the%20Federal%20Election%20for%203%20May%202025.pdf |format=PDF |location=Canberra |publisher=Office of the Governor-General |access-date=7 October 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date= |url-status= |author-mask= |mode= |id=MS25-000144}}</ref>

While the office of governor of Victoria has little role in the administration of the government of the Commonwealth, the individuals who serve as governors of Victoria are - like all the [[Governors of the Australian states]] - normally given a [[dormant commission]] to [[Administrator (Australia)|administer the government of the Commonwealth]] in the absence from Australia, or the death, incapacity or removal from office of the [[Governor-General of Australia|governor-general]] by the Sovereign.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commission to Administer the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia in the absence of the Governor-General - Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AO |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2016G01661/asmade/text |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=5 October 2025 |date=19 December 2016}}</ref> Victorian governors are often also appointed as a [[Governor-General of Australia#Deputies of the Governor-General|deputy of the governor-general]]<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Wright |editor1-first=B C |title=House of Representatives Practice |date=2012 |publisher=Department of the House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Australia |isbn=978-1-74366-656-2 |page=3 |edition=7th |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_About_Parliament/53_HoR/532_PPP/Practice7/combined.pdf |access-date=4 October 2025 |chapter=The Parliament and the role of the House}}</ref> to perform certain responsibilities of the governor-general while the governor-general is present in Australia, but unable to perform them personally.<ref>{{cite web |title=Appointment of Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, as Deputy of the Governor-General |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2019G00642/asmade/text |website=Federal Register of Legislation |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=5 October 2025 |date=22 July 2019}}</ref>

== Ceremonial role ==
[[File:Australian State Governor insignia 2025.svg|100px|thumb|Governors' [[Australian Defence Force ranks|rank insignia]]<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-12-20 |title=Army Dress Manual |url=https://www.army.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/Army-Dress-Manual-AL5.pdf |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |publisher=Department of Defence |at=Appendix 4H1 |location=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Changes to Army emblems 2025 |url=https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/army-brand/changes-army-emblems-2025#:~:text=The%20primary%20changes%20involve%3A,III%20to%20symbolise%20his%20reign. |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>]]
In addition to the formal constitutional role, the governor has a representative and ceremonial role, though the extent and nature of that role has depended on the expectations of the time, the individual in office at the time, the wishes of the incumbent government, and the individual's reputation in the wider community. Governors generally become patrons of various charitable institutions, present honours and awards, host functions for various groups of people including representatives of other countries, and travel widely throughout the state.

The governor is generally invited to become patron of various charitable and service organisations. Historically the governor has often served as [[Scouting in Victoria|Chief Scout of Victoria]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Gilwell Park Bushwalking Scouting History Walk – Eastern Side |url=https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/media/7592/gilwell-scouting-history-east.pdf |website=Scouts Victoria |publisher=The Scout Association of Australia, Victoria Branch |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> Deputy Prior of the [[Order of Saint John (chartered 1888)|Order of St John]],<ref name="patronage" /> and by law is the [[Visitor]] of [[Deakin University|Deakin]], [[Federation University|Federation]], [[La Trobe University|La Trobe]], [[University of Melbourne|Melbourne]], [[Monash University|Monash]], [[RMIT University|RMIT]], and [[Victoria University (Australia)|Victoria]] Universities.<ref>{{cite web |title=University Acts (Amendment) Act 1996 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/university-acts-amendment-act-1996/001 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en-au}}</ref>

The governor makes [[state visit|official visits]] overseas on behalf of Victoria at the request of the state government. During these periods, the [[Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria]] or an [[Administrator (Australia)|administrator]] executes the government of the state.<ref name="official-travel">{{cite web |title=Official travel |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/official-travel |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=Office of the Governor |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=23 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=No. S 276 Tuesday 3 June 2025 |url=https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2025/GG2025S276.pdf |website=Victorian Government Gazette |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref>

The governor fills the honorary role of [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|Representative Colonel]] for the [[Australian Army Reserve]]'s [[Royal Victoria Regiment]].<ref name="patronage">{{cite web |title=Patronage organisations |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/patronage-organisations |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=2 July 2025}}</ref> They are an Honorary Commodore of the [[Royal Australian Navy]],<ref>{{cite web |title=In her role as Head of State, the Governor regularly engages with the Australian Defence Force as part of the [Photograph] |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DCSuFi2hvKw/?img_index=1 |website=Governor of Victoria [@vicgovernor] |publisher=[[Instagram]] |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> and the Honorary Air Commodore of [[No. 21 Squadron RAAF|No 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tout-Smith |first1=Deborah |title=Municipality of Melbourne Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force |url=https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2299 |website=Museums Victoria Collections |publisher=[[Museums Victoria]] |access-date=13 October 2025 |date=2004}}</ref> These appointments are strictly honorary, and unlike governors in the United States who exercise operational control their state [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]], the governor of Victoria plays no formal role in the command structure of these units.

== Privileges ==
[[File:GovernmentHouseMelbourne1_gobeirne.jpg|thumb|[[Government House, Melbourne]]]]

Governors are entitled to various privileges by virtue of holding the office. These include the right to live in [[Government House, Melbourne|Government House]], the largest and grandest vice-regal residence in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].<ref name="gov house building">{{cite web |title=The building of Government House |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/building-government-house |website=Government House, Victoria |date=24 June 2025 |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> The state's first lieutenant-governor,{{efn|the position would be retitled when the [[Colony of Victoria]] achieved responsible government in 1854}} [[Charles La Trobe]] continued to live in [[La Trobe's Cottage]], which he had built for himself as Superintendent of [[Port Phillip District]].<ref>{{cite web |title=La Trobe's Cottage |url=https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4729 |website=Victorian Herritage Database |publisher=Heritage Council of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> The colonial government then rented [[Toorak House]] from 1854 for use as Government House until the construction of the permanent building in [[King's Domain]] was completed in 1876.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toorak House |url=https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/1166 |website=Victorian Herritage Database |publisher=Heritage Council of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> However, lease negotiations broke down and [[George Bowen|Sir George Bowen]] resided at [[Bishopscourt, East Melbourne|Bishopscourt]], the official residence of the [[Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne]], during the final months before Government House was completed.<ref name="gov house building" />

Beginning in 1901, the now-state government provided the use of Government House to the [[Governor-General of Australia]] as Melbourne was the capital city of Australia prior to the construction of [[Canberra]]. The governor-general remained resident in Melbourne outside of parliamentary sitting periods after the capital moved in 1927, not moving to [[Government House, Canberra|Yarralumla]] full-time until [[Issac Issacs|Sir Issac Issacs]] took up the post. During this period, the state government rented [[Stonnington Mansion]] for use by the state governor, eventually purchasing the building and its contents in 1928. After the governors returned to live at Government House, Stonnington was used as a school.<ref name="gov house building" />

The governor's official vehicles use a representation of [[St Edward's Crown]] in place of a standard registration plate<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cardinal |first1=Ethan |title='Out of the way peasants': The regal number plate rich in Australian history |url=https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/out-of-the-way-peasants-the-regal-number-plate-rich-in-australian-history/ |website=Drive |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en |date=2025}}</ref> and fly the governor's personal standard.<ref name="gov house state apartments">{{cite web |title=State Apartments |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/state-apartments |website=Government House, Victoria |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

===Salary===
The salary of the governor was initially set by the ''[[Australian Constitutions Act 1850]]'' at £2,000,{{Efn|That is, [[pounds sterling]]; the [[Australian pound]] (with the same value) was introduced in 1910.}} which also required any bill that altered the governor's salary to be reserved for her majesty's pleasure.<ref name="australian constitutions act" /> As of 2025, the governor is paid the same salary as a justice of the supreme court<ref name="vic constitution s.7">{{cite web |title=Constitution of Victoria, s.7 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/constitution-act-1975/226 |website=Victorian Legislation |publisher=Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Victoria |access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref>  (currently $517,650<ref name="judge-pay">{{cite web |title=Judicial officer salaries |url=https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/judicial-officer-salaries |website=Department of Justice and Community Safety |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en |date=16 October 2024}}</ref>)

===Official dress===
[[File:Arthur Stanley.jpg|thumb|[[Arthur Stanley, 5th Baron Sheffield|Sir Arthur Stanley]], 14th governor of Victoria (1914-20), in his court uniform]]

Governors before the 1970s wore traditional [[Court uniform and dress in the United Kingdom#Foreign Service variants|court uniforms]], based on the uniform of the [[Lord Lieutenant]]s of English counties with the colours reversed. It consisted of a dark navy wool double-breasted coatee with silver oak leaf and fern embroidery on the collar and cuffs trimmed with silver buttons embossed with the [[Royal Arms]] and with bullion edged epaulettes on the shoulders, dark navy trousers with a wide band of silver oak-leaf braid down the outside seam, silver sword belt with ceremonial sword, [[bicorne]] cocked hat with plume of ostrich feathers, black patent leather Wellington boots with spurs, etc., that is worn on ceremonial occasions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dress worn at court |date=1912 |publisher=Wilkinson & Son |location=London |pages=49–51 |url=https://www.cuttersguide.com/pdf/20th-Century-Male/dress_worn_at_court_(london,_1912).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013104148/https://www.cuttersguide.com/pdf/20th-Century-Male/dress_worn_at_court_(london,_1912).pdf |access-date=13 October 2025 |archive-date=13 October 2025}}</ref> However, that custom fell into disuse and governors now dress in [[informal wear]] day-to-day.

===Titles and honours===
Governors have during their tenure the style ''His or Her [[Excellency]] [[the Honourable]]'' and their spouses have the style ''His or Her Excellency''. The style used by a former governor is ''the Honourable''.

Since the creation of the [[Order of Australia]] in 1975, governors have been routinely invested as Companions of the [[Order of Australia]] immediately prior to being commissioned as governor, and several governors including [[Linda Dessau]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Honours and Awards · The Royal Victorian Order |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4245844 |website=The London Gazette |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=14 October 2025 |date=2023}}</ref> [[James Gobbo|Sir James Gobbo]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Honours and Awards · The Royal Victorian Order |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-55839-1004 |website=The London Gazette |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=16 October 2025 |date=2023}}</ref> have been appointed Commanders of the [[Royal Victorian Order]]{{efn|Named in 1896 for Queen Victoria, not the then-colony also named in her honour}} for their service to the sovereign as vice-regal representatives. Prior to 1986, Victoria still utilised the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom|imperial honours system]], and it was customary for governors to be recognised with awards of Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the [[Order of St Michael and St George]] for their service as colonial officials<ref>{{cite web |title=Order of St Michael and St George |url=https://www.royal.uk/order-st-michael-and-st-georgeael-and-st-george |website=The Royal Family |publisher=The Royal Household |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Page 4 {{!}} Supplement 43200, 31 December 1963 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43200/supplement/4 |website=The Gazette |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref> as well as Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for their services to the sovereign.<ref>{{cite web |title=Page 2500 {{!}} Issue 40159, 27 April 1954 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40159/page/2500 |website=[[The London Gazette]] |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref>

Spouses of governors have no official duties but carry out the role of a vice-regal consort. They are entitled to the courtesy style ''Her Excellency'' or ''His Excellency'' during the office-holder's term of office. Most spouses of governors have been content to be quietly supportive. Some, however, have been notable in their own right, such as Lady Brooks,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article279671826 |title=Lady Brooks honored |newspaper=[[The Sun News-pictorial]] |issue=8835 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=17 January 1951 |accessdate=31 May 2025 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205714993 |title=Appeal by Lady Brooks |newspaper=[[The Age]] |issue=30,547 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=26 March 1953 |accessdate=31 May 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>  [[Margaret Eleanor Crosby|Margaret, Baroness Huntingfield]], and [[Glyn Davis]]

=== Governor's personal standard ===
{{Infobox flag
| Name = Personal Standard of the<br>Governor of Victoria
| Image = Flag of the Governor of Victoria.svg
| Nickname = 
| Morenicks = 
| Use = 000000
| Symbol = {{FIAV|000000}}{{FIAV|normal}}{{FIAV|Mirror}}
| Proportion = 1:2
| Adoption = {{start date and age|1984|04|18|df=y}}<ref name="gov-flag press release">{{cite web |title=Governor's Standard |url=http://www.governor.vic.gov.au/4A25671B00145208/webpages/govflag |website=Government House Victoria |publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=19 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719074209/http://governor.vic.gov.au/4A25671B00145208/webpages/govflag|archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Design = The Governor's badge of a red [[Crux|Southern Cross]] surmounted by [[St Edward's Crown]], on a golden yellow flag with the Union flag in the upper left (canton) quarter.
}}
The personal standard of the governor of Victoria is the same design as the [[Flag of Victoria (Australia)|state flag of Victoria]], but with the blue background replaced by gold, and red stars depicting the Southern Cross. The gold is said to represent "[[Victorian gold rush|Victoria’s golden past]] and its promise of a golden future".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 June 2025 |title=Government House architecture |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/government-house-architecture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501091640/https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/government-house-architecture |archive-date=1 May 2025 |website=Government House Victoria}}</ref>

The current standard has been in place since 1984. Previously, the standard used by Victorian governors after 1870 had been the [[Union Jack]] with the Badge of the State of Victoria emblazoned in the centre.<ref name=":0" />

The governor's standard is flown at Government House and on vehicles conveying the governor. The standard is lowered over Government House when the governor is absent from Victoria.<ref name=":0" />

;Historical standards of the governor{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}
<gallery class="center">
File:Flag of the Governor of Victoria (1870–1877).svg|1870–1877
File:Flag of the Governor of Victoria (1877–1901).svg|1877–1901
File:Flag of the Governor of Victoria (1952–1984).svg|1901–1984
</gallery>

== Office of the Governor of Victoria ==
The Office of the Governor provides support to the governor to fulfill their constitutional and ceremonial duties, community and international engagements and maintains [[Government House, Melbourne|Government House]], including its collections, as a heritage and community asset of national importance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government House Complex |url=https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/1074 |website=Victorian Herritage Database |publisher=Herritage Council of Victoria |access-date=16 October 2025}}</ref>

The Office of the Governor is currently constituted as an administrative office within the [[Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria)|Department of Premier and Cabinet]] under the ''Public Administration Act 2004''.<ref>{{cite web |title=No. G 13 Thursday 31 March 2005 |url=https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2005/GG2005G013.pdf#page=39 |website=Victorian Government Gazette |publisher=Victorian Government Printer}}</ref> It employed 47 [[Full-time equivalent]] staff in 2024<ref name="DPC annual report 2024" /> and is headed by the [[Official Secretary to the Governor]].

The official secretary to the governor is Victoria's nominee on the Council of the Order of Australia<ref>{{cite web |title=Council for the Order of Australia |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/order-australia/council-order-australia |website=Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia |publisher=[[Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia|Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="office">{{cite web |title=About the Office of the Governor |url=https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/about-office-governor |website=Government House, Victoria |publisher=Office of the Governor of Victoria |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en-au |date=25 June 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, the official secretary is Jonathan Burke.<ref name="office" />

== History ==
[[Charles La Trobe]], superintendent of the [[Port Phillip District]] of the [[Colony of New South Wales]] was appointed the inaugural lieutenant-governor of the new [[Colony of Victoria]] on its separation from New South Wales on 1 July 1851. However, he remained subject to [[Charles Augustus FitzRoy|Sir Charles FitzRoy]] who was raised to the position of [[Governor of New South Wales|Governor-General of New South Wales]] in an early attempt at federalism among the Australian colonies. FitzRoy exercised little authority over the other colonies, particularly after [[Henry Grey, 3rd Earl Grey]] resigned as [[Secretary of State for War and the Colonies]] in February 1852.<ref name="adb-fitzroy">{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=John M. |title=Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy (1796–1858) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fitzroy-sir-charles-augustus-2049 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> 

La Trobe had extensive power as lieutenant-governor, able to veto bills passed by the [[Legislative Council of Victoria|Legislative Council]] and was responsible for initiating all financial legislation.<ref name="australian constitutions act"/> Within weeks of the new colony being proclaimed, [[Victorian gold rush|gold was discovered]] in [[Ballarat]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91914307 |title=Ballarat Diggins, September 6, 1851. |newspaper=[[Geelong Advertiser]] |volume=XI |issue=1565 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 September 1851 |accessdate=16 October 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> At the same time as he was called upon to establish the institutions of the new colony, La Trobe also needed to rapidly and drastically expand the area controlled by the new government. Like La Trobe, the other officials of the new government were inexperienced and there were many missteps in the early days of the government as they attempted to manage they tens of thousands of people arriving in the colony in search of gold. <ref name="adb-latrobe"/> The new colony was well-funded from the start, and invested significantly in developing the still-new towns in Melbourne, Ballarat, and the rest of the colony. However, infrastructure remained lacking throughout the gold rush period, and the government was running a budget deficit by the time La Trove returned to the UK.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bate |first=Weston |title=Lucky City: The First Generation at Ballarat: 1851-1901 |publisher=Melbourne University Press |year=1978 |isbn=9780522841572 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Blainey |first=Geoffrey |title=The Rush That Never Ended: A History of Australian Mining |publisher=Melbourne University Press |year=1963 |isbn=9780522850093}}</ref>

[[File:Doudiet Swearing allegiance to the Southern Cross.jpg|thumb|250px|''Swearing Allegiance to the Southern Cross'' by [[Charles Doudiet]], 1854]]
Despite a last-minute attempt to instead obtain command of a ship when the [[Crimean War]] broke out, Captain [[Charles Hotham|Sir Charles Hotham]] relieved La Trobe as lieutenant-governor in June 1854. He attempted to increase government revenue and get the government out of debt by enforcing the mining licences that had been instituted on the goldfields, but at the same time extended political rights to the miners.<ref name="adb-hotham"/> Hotham was an extremely authoritarian governor for a [[Crown Colony]] that was about to be granted [[responsible government]], perhaps influenced by the [[Eureka Rebellion]] breaking out within months of his arrival in the colony.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hotham |first1=Charles |author1-link=Charles Hotham |title=VPRS 1085/P0 Despatch No. 148: Reporting the burning of the Eureka Hotel on the Ballaarat Gold Field |url=https://victoriancollections.net.au/media/collectors/52f2d90c9821f4163875a43d/items/59782b3a90751a26acd04c22/item-media/59782b3a90751a26acd04c23/original.pdf#toolbar=0&view=Fit&page=1 |website=Victorian Collections |publisher=Public Records Office of Victoria |access-date=17 October 2025 |date=1854}}</ref> 

After the nascent rebellion was put down by elements of the [[Suffolk Regiment|12th Regiment of Foot]], the [[40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot|40th Regiment of Foot]] and [[Victoria Police]], Hotham had 13 of the miners [[1855 Victorian high treason trials|tried for high treason]], however the jury refused to convict them.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/154851059 |title=NOT GUILTY! |newspaper=[[The Age]] |volume=I |issue=111 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=24 February 1855 |accessdate=17 October 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and he was rebuked by the new colonial secretary, [[John Russell, 1st Earl Russell|Lord John Russell]] for mishandling the prosecutions.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Turnbull |first1=Clive |author1-link=Clive Turnbull |title=Eureka: The Story of Peter Lalor |date=1946 |publisher=Hawthorne Press |location=Melbourne |pages=36–37}}</ref>

=== Responsible Government ===
Hotham was appointed as Victoria's first governor following passage of the ''Victoria Constitution Act 1855'' by the imperial parliament. This act formally approved the constitution that had been written by the Legislative Council early in 1854 and established the [[Legislative Assembly of Victoria]], which would begin its first sitting in 1856.<ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria Constitution Act 1855 |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-19.html |website=foundingdocs.gov.au |publisher=Museum of Australian Democracy |access-date=18 October 2025}}</ref> When the dispatches returned the approved constitution, they included a provision that the new constitution would not take effect for three months after arrival. Hotham declared that there would be no change to the governance of the state until that time, putting himself and his executive council in conflict with the Legislative Council who believed that the new governor was [[responsible government|accountable]] to legislative oversight. However, this disagreement was short-lived, with Hotham dying on 31 December 1855.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sweetman |first1=Edward |title=Constitutional development of Victoria, 1851-6 |date=1920 |publisher=Whitcomb & Tombs Limited |location=Melbourne |pages=58–66 |url=https://archive.org/details/constitutionalde00swee}}</ref>

Following the unexpected death of Hotham, the government of Victoria was administered by Major-General [[Edward Macarthur|Sir Edward Macarthur]] for most of 1856. The eldest son of the infamous [[John Macarthur (wool pioneer)|John Macarthur]] commanded the British Army forces in the colony and had been appointed administrator.<ref name="adb-macarthur"/> Macarthur oversaw the first elections for the Legislative Assembly during the 11 months before the new governor arrived and was well-regarded by the people of Melbourne for his administration.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12992190 |title=FROM THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY TO MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARD MACARTHUR. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |volume=XXXVIII |issue=5836 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=12 February 1857 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

==== 1865 Supply Crisis ====
In 1865, the government led by [[James McCulloch]] announced, and then immediately started collecting, a new [[tariff]]. After several months of the Legislative Council refusing to pass the tariff, it was added to a [[confidence and supply|supply bill]]. Under the colonial constitution, the Legislative Council had no power to amend supply bills and so refused to pass it in its entirety.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/159499478 |title=CHAOS IN MELBOURNE. |newspaper=[[Adelaide Observer]] |volume=XXIII |issue=1261 |location=South Australia |date=2 December 1865 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=2 (Supplement to the Adelaide Observer.) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The first Australian [[loss of supply|supply crisis]] begun. Treasurer [[George Frederic Verdon|George Verdon]] attempted to secure loans to fund the government, but was rejected by all except the [[London Chartered Bank of Australia]]. The other banks in the colony published their concerns about the power of the governor and ministry to obtain new loans in the absence of supply, however the influence of their only Victorian director, premier James McCulloch meant that the London Chartered Bank immediately extended a loan of £40,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147563917 |title=THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKS |newspaper=[[Geelong Advertiser]] |issue=5888 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 September 1865 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 

When the government was unable to service the loan the next month, the bank sued for the debt in the Supreme Court and the government offered no defence. After receiving the judgement of the court, the government advised governor [[Charles Henry Darling|Sir Charles Darling]] to authorise payment for the loan and the bank's costs from the consolidated revenue fund without parliamentary approval, a process that was repeated on a monthly basis.<ref name="twomey-risky">{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |author1-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=Why supply crises are risky for Governors |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHp21LN2qpc&t=780s |website=YouTube |access-date=18 October 2025 |date=17 September 2025}}</ref> McCulloch took the issue to the electorate by dissolving the Legislative Assembly, and after reelection he continued to try and force the Legislative Council to endorse the new tariff.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/159499478 |title=A CONSTITUTIONAL HITCH IN VICTORIA. |newspaper=[[South Australian Register]] |volume=XXIX |issue=5728 |location=South Australia |date=10 March 1865 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>  Various attempts to pass the tariff were rejected by the Legislative Council until the ministry resigned in March 1866,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112908257 |title=The Black Hole of McCulloch |newspaper=[[Ovens And Murray Advertiser]] |issue=2028 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=27 March 1866 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> however the [[Protectionism|Protectionist]] party held a majority of seat in the Assembly and McCulloch was soon asked to form a new ministry.<ref name="adb-darling"/>

Governor Darling's handling of the situation was poorly received by the people of Victoria, newspapers across Australia,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87960805 |title=THE VICTORIAN CRISIS. |newspaper=[[South Australian Register]] |volume=XXIX |issue=5939 |location=South Australia |date=13 November 1865 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> and by the colonial office in London. He was [[Dismissal (employment)|recalled]] in April 1866 and Major General [[George Jackson Carey|George Carey]] assumed the administration of the colony until the new governor arrived in August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87960805 |title=SIR CHARLES DARLING'S RECALL |newspaper=[[Bendigo Advertiser]] |volume=XIII |issue=3421 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=15 May 1866 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=1 (Supplement to The Bendigo Advertiser) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="adb-carey"/> Darling was widely condemned for allowing the colonial government to so grievously exceed the bounds of constitutional propriety for so long,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/159502193 |title=SIR CHARLES DARLING'S RECALL. |newspaper=[[Adelaide Observer]] |volume=XXIV |issue=1282 |location=South Australia |date=28 April 1866 |accessdate=18 October 2025 |page=1 (Supplement to the Adelaide Observer.) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> however, his recall led to a compromise that saw the deadlock resolved, supply restored, and a new tariff bill passed.<ref name="twomey-risky"/> However, the crisis was not yet quite over. 

The Victorian government attempted to gift £20,000 to Lady Darling as compensation for the early termination of Sir Charles' appointment. It was not considered appropriate that the payment be made to Sir Charles directly, however the colonial office was not of a mind to allow the obviously blind and the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]], [[Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon]] sent messages to both the Darlings and the Assembly that the would not be permitted so long as he remained in the [[Colonial Service]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/155033192 |title=THE PROPOSED GRANT TO LADY DARLING. |newspaper=[[The Age]] |issue=3844 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=25 February 1867 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=1 (Supplement to The Age) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The new governor, [[John Manners-Sutton, 3rd Viscount Canterbury|Sir John Manners-Sutton]], had directions from colonial secretary [[Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle]] not to approve any such payment,<ref name="twomey-risky"/> so Sir Charles submitted his resignation, but Manners-Sutton was able to convince Newcastle to allow Sir Charles to withdraw it the following year,<ref name="adb-canterbury"/> and he received a pension from the imperial government until he died in 1870.<ref name="adb-darling"/>

==== 1878 Supply Crisis ====
{{main|Black Wednesday 1878|Graham Berry}}
At the May 1877 election, with the powerful backing of the Melbourne ''[[The Age|Age]]'', [[Graham Berry|Graham Berry's]] liberals won a huge  majority in the Assembly and he returned to office at the head of a radical ministry. Berry promised that if the [[Legislative Council of Victoria|Legislative Council]], which was elected on a limited property-based franchise, blocked his program, it would be "dealt with according to its deserts." Given that there was no mechanism in the Victorian Constitution to override the Council, this was taken by conservatives to be a threat of revolutionary violence.

Among other priorities, Berry's government sought to [[Payment of members|pay members of the Legislative Assembly]], a proposal borne of the desire to facilitate middle and working class representation. It was rejected by the Legislative Council, and then [[Rider (legislation)|tacked]] to the annual appropriations bill, which was again rejected.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article200549723 |title=No title |newspaper=[[The Age]] |issue=7160 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=22 January 1878 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> After unlawfully sacking over 400 public servants, including magistrates, judges, goldfields commissioners and coroners on what became known as [[Black Wednesday 1878|Black Wednesday]], Berry's government plunged the state into financial trouble.<ref name="twomey-risky"/> In an attempt to restore stability, Berry advised governor [[George Bowen|Sir George Bowen]] to authorise payments based solely on the approval of the Legislative Council.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200549723 |title=The Ministerial Address to the Governor |newspaper=[[Weekly Times]] |issue=444 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 March 1878 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Bowen authorised these payments after obtaining advice from the attorney-general, but he was reprimanded by the colonial office for approving the payments and allowing other illegal actions of Berry and his ministers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5935686 |title=SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND THE COLONIAL OFFICE |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=9,978 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=10 June 1878 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=1 (The Argus Summary for Europe) |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

The Black Wednesday sackings were cancelled,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/199324113 |title=THE GOVERNOR AND THE MINISTRY. |newspaper=[[The Ballarat Star]] |volume=XXIII |issue=125 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=25 May 1878 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Bowen was recalled to be assigned as the new [[Governor of British Mauritius|Governor of Mauritius]], an unimportant backwater [[Crown Colony]] that did not have responsible government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147322726 |title=THE GOVERNOR'S FAREWELL SPEECH |newspaper=[[Geelong Advertiser]] |issue=9,776 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=12 November 1878 |accessdate=19 October 2025 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> Bowen, who had expected to be appointed governor of New South Wales following his time in Victoria, regretted his involvement in the crisis, writing the following year:

{{blockquote|My reluctant consent, purely on constitutional grounds, to these dismissals … has damaged my further reputation and my career to a degree that I shall never recover. It will never be forgotten either in England or in the Colony.<ref name="adb-bowen"/>}}

=== Post-Federation ===
Following [[Federation of Australia|Federation]] in 1901, the Victorian governors spent the next several decades in a peculiar position. With Melbourne the new nation's temporary capital, [[John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun]] and former governor of Victoria, returned to [[Government House, Melbourne|Government House]] as [[Governor-General of Australia]]. His successors remained in residence until [[Issac Issacs|Sir Issac Issacs]], the first Australian appointed to the position began to live in Canberra full-time in 1930. During this time, the now-state governors resided at [[Stonnington Mansion]].<ref name="gov house building" />

In 1903, the Victorian parliament first debated abolishing the governor's office on grounds of duplication and economy. Further debates occurred in 1904, 1917, and 1920; the last including a motion that fell only four votes short of calling for the abolition of the office. Governor [[Arthur Stanley, 5th Baron Stanley of Alderley|Sir Arthur Stanley]] shared their views, requesting an early recall to allow the appointment of a replacement who believed in the utility of his office in 1917. He was convinced by the state government to remain in place until 1920, as ministers feared that public opinion could force them to leave the administration of the state in the hands of an Australian lieutenant-governor.<ref name="chameleon 33"/>

Between 1931 and 1934, the state was administered by the [[Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria|lieutenant-governor]], chief justice [[William Irvine (Australian politician)|Sir William Irvine]]. During this time, Irvine did not sit as a justice of the supreme court.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4383411 |title=Sir William Irvine withdrawing from court work |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=26,507 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=30 July 1931 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> Irvine was called upon to act as governor for an extended period due to the financial position of the state during the [[Great Depression in Australia|Great Depression]]. When planning the move, ministers claimed that £7,000 would be saved annually by leaving the post of governor vacant and decommissioning [[Stonnington Mansion|Stonnington]] as the state's Government House.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4379406 |title=STATE GOVERNORSHIP. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=26,440 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=13 May 1931 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

==== World War 2 Confidence and Supply Crises ====
In September 1943, the [[Victorian National Party|Country Party]] government of [[Albert Dunstan|Sir Albert Dunstan]] was defeated by a [[motion of no confidence]].<ref name="no confidence 1943">{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132921213 |title=Dunstan Government Out In Victoria |newspaper=[[The Dubbo Liberal And Macquarie Advocate]] |volume=69 |issue=108 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=11 September 1943 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref> When this occurs, the [[Convention (political norm)|convention]] is that either the government resigns or a new election is called. Arguing that the [[1943 Victorian state election]] had just been held and no other party had the numbers to form a government, Dunstan attempted to pursuade governor [[Winston Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria|Sir Winston Dugan]] to allow him to remain in office while he negotiated support from the [[United Australia Party – Victoria|United Australia Party]]. Dugan instead exercised his [[reserve power]]s, requiring the premier to submit his resignation. He then appointed the leader of the opposition, [[John Cain (34th Premier of Victoria)|John Cain]] as premier. 

There had been an understanding between Labour and the United Australia Party that UAP leader [[Thomas Hollway]] would be the one to be appointed premier.<ref name="twomey-unprecedented">{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |author1-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=Was the Whitlam Dismissal Really "Unprecedented"? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l2qEfuPALY |website=YouTube |access-date=23 October 2025 |date=20 September 2025}}</ref> Feeling no loyalty to Cain, the UAP voted with the Country Party to bring down his new government the following day. Instead of submitting his resignation, Cain advised the governor to call for a fresh election,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/272113955 |title=CAIN ONE DAY ONLY IN OFFICE |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]] |issue=732 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=16 September 1943 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=2 (War News Edition) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> but this advice was refused.<ref name="twomey-unprecedented"/>

In September 1945, Cain was able to block a supply bill on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Dunstan's government attempted to pass the bill again, but when it became clear that it did not have the votes to do so, the governor dissolved the assembly and called for an election in November, when the new electoral rolls would be prepared.<ref name="twomey-unprecedented" /><ref name="amazing proceedings">{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205646815 |title=AMAZING PROCEEDINGS IN ASSEMBLY DEBATE |newspaper=[[The Age]] |issue=28216 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 September 1945 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The proclamation dissolving the legislative assembly did not take affect until the following week, allowing time for an interim supply bill to be passed to fund the election and other aspects of the state government in the meantime. 

Cain retained his supporters, and passing a motion explicitly calling on Dunstan to resign, citing the illegal payments made by governments in the 1865 and 1878 supply crises as rationale.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/967867 |title=BITTER DEBATE IN STATE HOUSE |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=30,914 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 September 1945 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Dunstan asked the governor for an immediate dissolution of parliament, but was denied, with Dugan retorting that he was refusing to sanction illegal payments as his 18th-century predecessors had and required the premier's resignation.<ref name="twomey-unprecedented"/> Both Cain and Holloway were unable to secure the passage of supply to provide for the state's finances until the election, with the deadlock eventually being broken by the appointment of attorney-general [[Ian Macfarlan]] as premier to lead a caretaker ministry until the  [[1945 Victorian state election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/281039906 |title=MR. MACFARLAN MAY BE NEW PREMIER |newspaper=[[Sunraysia Daily]] |volume=25 |issue=299 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=2 October 1945 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226558951 |title=WHY MR. MACFARLAN FORMED CABINET |newspaper=[[Weekly Times]] |issue=3981 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=3 October 1945 |accessdate=23 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> After the election John Cain secured a majority and was commissioned as premier, while Dugan was raised to the peerage at the conclusion of his term as governor, becoming Baron Dugan of Victoria.<ref>{{cite web |title=No. 38660 8 July 1949 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38660/page/3345 |website=The London Gazette |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=23 October 2025 |pages=3345 |format=PDF |date=1949}}</ref>

==== 1952 Supply Crisis ====
The [[1950 Victorian state election]] produced a [[hung parliament]], with the new governor, [[Dallas Brooks|Sir Dallas Brooks]], mediating a minority Country Party government supported on confidence and supply by the Labor Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47870168 |title=C.P.-LABOUR ALLIANCE IN VICTORIA |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |volume=66 |issue=19,946 |location=Western Australia |date=22 June 1950 |accessdate=24 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> This government under premier [[John McDonald (Victorian politician)|John McDonald]] remained in office for two years, before John Cain's Labor Party blocked supply in the Legislative Council in October 1952 in an effort to bring Thomas Holloway to power to lead a caretaker government and institute electoral reform.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47407031 |title=Victorian Labor To Refuse Supply |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)]] |volume=95 |issue=29,330 |location=South Australia |date=13 October 1952 |accessdate=24 October 2025 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 

Following his defeat on supply, McDonald requested a dissolution but was denied by the governor who appointed [[Thomas Holloway]] as premier.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250885513 |title=Victorian Politics |newspaper=[[Geraldton Guardian]] |volume=XXIV |issue=4169 |location=Western Australia |date=23 October 1952 |accessdate=24 October 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Holloway swiftly passed the supply bill through the Legislative Council, funding the government until December. In the Legislative Assembly, Holloway lost a confidence motion, and requested a dissolution of parliament on the grounds that he had achieved his promise of obtaining supply until the election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/256913542 |title=HOLLWAY GOVERNMENT DEFEATED IN ASSEMBLY |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |volume=58 |issue=16326 |location=Western Australia |date=31 October 1952 |accessdate=24 October 2025 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

However, McDonald argued that Holloway had never achieved the backing of the Legislative Assembly, as he had retained the confidence of the Assembly throughout the incident and was entitled to campaign as premier. After seeking the advice of the chief justices of the supreme court ([[Edmund Herring]]) and the high court (Victorian [[Owen Dixon]]), Brooks recommissioned McDonald as premier and McDonald immediately requested a [[1952 Victorian state election|fresh election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/130859826 |title=Governor, Premier clash in Vic. crisis |newspaper=[[News]] |volume=59 |issue=9,120 |location=South Australia |date=31 October 1952 |accessdate=24 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="twomey-unprecedented"/> After this election, John Cain was again commissioned as premier, leading a Labor government.

==== 1955 Confidence and Supply Crisis ====
Cain's third government lasted until the [[Australian Labor Party split of 1955]]. After the [[1955 Australian federal election]], opposition leader [[H. V. Evatt]] blamed disloyal elements of the Victorian party for his loss, and set about purging those elements from the party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71877358 |title="They ratted on Party," says Cain |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |location=Victoria, Australia |date=20 April 1955 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71876785 |title=Labor split widens CAIN SNUBS BARRY MEN; POLL 'SURE' |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |location=Victoria, Australia |date=16 April 1955 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=5 (FINAL EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

With 4 of his ministers amongst the exiled members, Cain requested a dissolution of parliament from the governor. Sir Dallas Brooks again consulted with Herring and Dixon, determining that there was insufficient supply to fund the government until the election, refused to grant a dissolution until supply was passed.<ref name="twomey-unprecedented"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article282430456 |title=Drastic action by Executive |newspaper=[[Sunraysia Daily]] |volume=35 |issue=141 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=30 March 1955 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

When state parliament was finally summoned, 11 of the ousted Labor MLAs, who would soon establish the virulently anti-communist [[Democratic Labor Party (Australia, 1955)|Democratic Labor Party]],{{efn|Known as the Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist) until 1957}} joined with [[Henry Bolte]]'s [[Liberal and Country Party]] and the [[Victorian National Party|Country Party]] to pass a motion of no confidence, and as there was sufficient supply to cover the state's expenses through the election, the writs for the [[1955 Victorian state election]] were issued.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71403438 |title=Vic. Poll Forced: May 28 |newspaper=[[Worker]] |volume=66 |issue=3536 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=25 April 1955 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

==== Later 20th Century ====
In 1967, governor [[Rohan Delacombe|Sir Rohan Delacombe]] was petitioned to exercise the [[royal prerogative of mercy]] to commute the execution of [[Ronald Ryan]] by four of the jurors in the case who had submitted a guilty verdict in the belief that [[capital punishment]] had been abolished in Victoria, and thought Ryan's sentence would be commuted to life imprisonment. Premier [[Henry Bolte]] was determined Ryan should hang. Delacombe called a meeting with the Victorian cabinet, at which it was unanimously agreed that the execution should proceed.<ref name="adb-delacombe"/> Ryan was hanged on 3 February 1967, the last person in Australia to be executed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Blainey |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Blainey |title=A History of Victoria |year=2006 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |location=UK |isbn=0-521-86977-3 |page=216 |chapter=Whirlwind and Calm}}</ref>

In 1985, as the ''[[Australia Act 1986|Australia Acts 1986]]'' were being developed, Victorian Governor Rear Admiral [[Brian Murray (governor)|Sir Brian Murray]] was embroiled in a scandal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dobbin |first1=Marika |title=Plane mistake a case of history repeating itself |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/plane-mistake-a-case-of-history-repeating-itself-20081114-67e7.html |website=The Age |access-date=13 October 2025 |date=2008}}</ref> Against the advice of Premier [[John Cain (41st Premier of Victoria)|John Cain]],{{efn|son of the John Cain who was premier during the 1940s and 1950s}} Murray had accepted free travel for himself and his wife and was caught up in a police investigation into the use of free airfares by police officers and other state officials.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Geoff |title=Sir Brian Stewart Murray (1921–1991) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murray-sir-brian-stewart-17502 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=13 October 2025 |date=2014}}</ref> The Premier sought for [[Elizabeth II]] to remove Murray, but the British Government was unwilling to act, fearing to appear anachronistic on the eve of the ''Australia Acts 1986''. Cain's attempts to communicate with the  [[Foreign Office]] were also complicated by the Governor being the traditional channel of communication. [[John Leahy (diplomat)|Sir John Leahy]], the [[List of high commissioners of the United Kingdom to Australia|British High Commissioner]], declined to carry messages on the grounds that he was not accredited to the state governments. Instead, messages were conveyed by the [[List of high commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom|Australian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom]], and deputy premier [[Robert Fordham]] travelled to London to meet with British ministers. The Foreign Secretary requested legal advice from his department as to the mechanisms of dismissing an Australian state governor, but was ultimately not required to act on the state government's request when Murray submitted his resignation under pressure from the state and Commonwealth governments.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |author1-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=The chameleon Crown: The Queen and her Australian governors |date=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |location=Sydney |isbn=978-186287-629-3 |pages=78–71 |url=http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862876293}}</ref> There was some enthusiasm amongst the state government for appointing [[Charles III|Charles, Prince of Wales]] to replace Murray as governor, but this was quietly discouraged before a formal request could be made.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Anne |author1-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=Why Prince Charles Rejected Being Governor of Victoria |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK88Mj-u2RQ |website=YouTube |access-date=18 October 2025 |date=19 October 2024}}</ref>

==List of governors of Victoria==
===Lieutenant-governors===
Prior to the separation of the [[Colony of Victoria]] from [[Colony of New South Wales|New South Wales]] in 1851, the area was called the [[Port Phillip District]] of New South Wales. The [[governor of New South Wales]] appointed superintendents of the district. In 1839, Charles La Trobe was appointed superintendent. La Trobe became lieutenant-governor of the new colony of Victoria on separation on 1 July 1851.

From 1850 to 1861, the governor of New South Wales was titled Governor-general of New South Wales in an attempt to form a federal structure. Until Victoria obtained [[responsible government]] in 1855, the governor-general of New South Wales appointed lieutenant-governors to Victoria.<ref name="chameleon crown">{{cite book |last=Twomey |first=Anne |author-link=Anne Twomey (academic) |title=The chameleon Crown: The Queen and her Australian governors |url=http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862876293 |year=2006 |publisher=The Federation Press |location=Sydney |isbn=978-1-86287-629-3 }}</ref> On Victoria obtaining responsible government in May 1855, the title of the then incumbent lieutenant-governor, [[Captain Sir Charles Hotham]], became governor.

{| class="wikitable"
! width="4%"| No.
! width="10%"| Image
! width="50%"| Lieutenant-governor
! width="20%"| From
! width="20%"| To
|-
| 1
| [[Image:Charleslatrobe.jpg|80px]]
| [[Charles La Trobe]]<ref name="adb-latrobe">{{cite web |last1=Eastwood |first1=Jill |title=Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801–1875) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/la-trobe-charles-joseph-2334 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|CB}}
| 1 July 1851
| 5 May 1854
|-
| 2
| [[File:Charles Hotham by James Henry Lynch-crop.jpg|80px]]
| Captain Sir [[Charles Hotham]]<ref name="adb-hotham">{{cite web |last1=Knox |first1=B. A. |title=Sir Charles Hotham (1806–1855) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hotham-sir-charles-3803 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|KCB|RN}}
| 22 June 1854
| 22 May 1855
|}

===Governors===
{| class="wikitable"
! width="4%"| No.
! width="10%"| Image
! width="50%"| Governor
! width="20%"| From
! width="20%"| To
|-
| 1
| [[File:Charles Hotham by James Henry Lynch-crop.jpg|80px]]
| Captain Sir [[Charles Hotham]]<ref name="adb-hotham" /><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|KCB|RN}}
| 22 May 1855
| 31 December 1855
|-
| -
| [[Image:Edward_Macarthur_B22455.tif|80px]]
| ''(Administrator)<br>Lieutenant General [[Edward Macarthur]]<ref name="adb-macarthur">{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=A. J. |title=Sir Edward Macarthur (1789–1872) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/macarthur-sir-edward-4059 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |language=en}}</ref><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|KCB}}''
| ''January 1856''
| ''December 1856''
|-
| 2
| [[Image:Henry Barkly.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Henry Barkly]]<ref name="adb-barkly">{{cite web |last1=Knox |first1=B. A. |title=Sir Henry Barkly (1815–1898) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barkly-sir-henry-2936 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCMG|KCB|FRS|FRGS}}
| 26 December 1856 
| 10 September 1863
|-
| 3 
| [[Image:Portrait of Sir Charles Darling 1863 wood engraving.jpg|80px]]
| [[The Right Honourable|The Rt Hon]] Sir [[Charles Henry Darling|Charles Darling]]<ref name="adb-darling">{{cite web |last1=Crowley |first1=F. K. |title=Sir Charles Henry Darling (1809–1870) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/darling-sir-charles-henry-3367 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCB}}
| 11 September 1863 
| 7 May 1866 
|-
| -
| [[Image:Brigadier-General-Carey full MA I173914 TePapa.jpg|80px]]
| ''(Administrator)<br>Major General [[George Jackson Carey|George Carey]]<ref name="adb-carey">{{cite web |last1=McConville |first1=Chris |title=George Jackson Carey (1822–1872) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/carey-george-jackson-3165 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=13 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|CB}}''
| ''May 1866''
| ''August 1866''
|-
| 4
| [[Image:3rdViscountCanterbury.jpg|80px]]
| [[The Right Honourable|The Rt Hon]] [[John Manners-Sutton, 3rd Viscount Canterbury]]<ref name="adb-canterbury">{{cite web |last1=Turnbull |first1=Jennifer |title=third Viscount Canterbury (1814–1877) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/canterbury-third-viscount-3161 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCMG|KCB}}
| 15 August 1866
| 2 March 1873 
|-
| 5
| [[Image:George Bowen b.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[George Bowen]]<ref name="adb-bowen">{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=R. B. |title=Sir George Ferguson Bowen (1821–1899) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bowen-sir-george-ferguson-3032 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCMG}}
| 30 July 1873 
| 22 February 1879
|-
| 6
| [[Image:GeorgePhipps2ndMarquessOfNormanby.jpg|80px]]
| [[George Phipps, 2nd Marquess of Normanby]]<ref name="adb-normanby">{{cite web |last1=Bolton |first1=G. C. |title=second Marquess of Normanby (1819–1890) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/normanby-second-marquess-of-4307 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCB|GCMG|PC}}
| 29 April 1879
| 18 April 1884
|-
| 7
| [[Image:Henry Loch Vanity Fair 5 July 1894.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Henry Loch, 1st Baron Loch|Henry Loch]]<ref name="adb-loch">{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=A. G. L. |title=Henry Brougham Loch (1827–1900) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/loch-henry-brougham-4033 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCB|GCMG}}
| 15 July 1884
| 15 November 1889
|-
| 8
| [[Image:Lord Hopetoun 1902.jpg|80px]]
| [[John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun]]<ref name="adb-hopetoun">{{cite web |last1=Cunneen |first1=Chris |title=seventh Earl of Hopetoun (1860–1908) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hopetoun-seventh-earl-of-6730 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KT|GCMG|GCVO}}
| 28 November 1889 
| 12 July 1895
|-
| 9
| [[Image:Brassey1.JPG|80px]]
| [[Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey|Thomas Brassey, 1st Baron Brassey]]<ref name="adb-brassey">{{cite web |last1=Penny |first1=B. R. |title=Thomas Brassey (1836–1918) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brassey-thomas-5339 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCB|TD|JP}}
| 25 October 1895
| 31 March 1900
|-
| 10
| [[Image:George Sydenham Clarke.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[George Clarke, 1st Baron Sydenham of Combe|George Clarke]]<ref name="adb-clarke">{{cite web |last1=Lettice |first1=M. N. |title=Sir George Sydenham Clarke (1848–1933) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clarke-sir-george-sydenham-5669 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCMG|GCIE|GBE}}
| 10 December 1901<ref>{{Cite web |title=Victoria Government Gazette – Online Archive – 1901, p4669 |url=https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/view.cgi?year=1901&class=general&page_num=4669&state=V&classNum=G157&id= |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=gazette.slv.vic.gov.au}}</ref>
| 24 November 1903
|-
| 11
| [[Image:Reginald Talbot Vanity Fair 22 July 1897.jpg|80px]]
| Major-General Sir [[Reginald Talbot]]<ref name="adb-talbot">{{cite web |last1=Gardiner |first1=L. R. |title=Sir Reginald Arthur James Talbot (1841–1929) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/talbot-sir-reginald-arthur-james-8743 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCB}}
| 25 April 1904
| 6 July 1908
|-
| 12
| [[Image:Thomas Gibson Carmichael.jpg|80px]]
| [[Thomas Gibson-Carmichael, 1st Baron Carmichael|Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael]]<ref name="adb-carmichael">{{cite web |last1=Gardiner |first1=L. R. |title=Sir Thomas David Gibson Carmichael (1859–1926) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/carmichael-sir-thomas-david-gibson-5508 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE|KCMG|Bt|FRSE}}
| 27 July 1908
| 19 May 1911
|-
| 13
| [[File:John Fuller.jpg|80px]]
| [[Sir John Fuller, 1st Baronet|Sir John Fuller]]<ref name="adb-fuller">{{cite web |last1=Gardiner |first1=L. R. |title=Sir John Michael Fuller (1864–1915) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fuller-sir-john-michael-6257 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG|Bt}}
| 24 May 1911
| 24 November 1913
|-
| 14
| [[Image:Arthur Stanley.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Arthur Stanley, 5th Baron Sheffield|Arthur Stanley]]<ref name="adb-stanley">{{cite web |last1=Cham |first1=Elizabeth |title=Sir Arthur Lyulph Stanley (1875–1931) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stanley-sir-arthur-lyulph-8622 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG}}
| 23 February 1914
| 30 January 1920
|-
| 15
| [[Image:The Earl of Stradbroke in 1915.jpg|80px]]
| [[George Rous, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke]]<ref name="adb-stradbroke">{{cite web |last1=Gardiner |first1=L. R. |title=third Earl of Stradbroke (1862–1947) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stradbroke-third-earl-of-8693 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG|CB|CVO|CBE|VD|TD}}
| 24 February 1921
| 7 April 1926
|-
| 16
| [[Image:Lord Somers Governor 1926.jpg|80px|]]
| [[Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers]]<ref name="adb-somers">{{cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=Alan |title=Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers (1887–1944) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/somers-arthur-herbert-tennyson-8578 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG|DSO|MC}}
| 28 June 1926
| 23 June 1931
|-
| -
| [[Image:William Hill Irvine - Broothorn Studios (cropped).jpg|80px]]
| ''(Lieutenant-Governor)<br>The Hon Sir [[William Irvine (Australian politician)|William Irvine]]<ref name="adb-irvine">{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=J. M. |last2=Smith |first2=Ann G. |title=Sir William Hill Irvine (1858–1943) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/irvine-sir-william-hill-6801 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=23 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG}}''
| ''June 1931''
| ''May 1934''
|-
| 17
| [[Image:Lord huntingfield.jpg|80px]]
| [[William Vanneck, 5th Baron Huntingfield]]<ref name="adb-huntingfield">{{cite web |last1=Serville |first1=Paul H. De |title=fifth Baron Huntingfield (1883–1969) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/huntingfield-fifth-baron-6773 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=KCMG}}
| 14 May 1934
| 4 April 1939
|-
| -
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| ''(Lieutenant-Governor)<br>The Hon Sir [[Frederick Mann]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12143902 |title=NAMES THAT ARE NEWS THIS WEEK |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |issue=28,970 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=29 June 1939 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=3 (The Junior Argus) |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Histed |first1=Elise B. |title=Sir Frederick Wollaston Mann (1869–1958) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mann-sir-frederick-wollaston-7473 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=25 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG}}''
| ''April 1939''
| ''July 1937''
|-
| 18
| [[Image:Winston Dugan.jpg|80px]]
| Major-General Sir [[Winston Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria|Winston Dugan]]<ref name="adb-dugan">{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=P. A. |title=Sir Winston Joseph Dugan (1876–1951) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/dugan-sir-winston-joseph-10056 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCMG|CB|DSO|KStJ}}
| 17 July 1939
| 20 February 1949
|-
| -
| [[Image:Edmund_Herring_by_William_Dargie.jpg|80px]]
| ''(Lieutenant-Governor)<br>Lieutenant-General The Hon Sir [[Edmund Herring]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Geoff |title=Sir Edmund Francis (Ned) Herring (1892–1982) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/herring-sir-edmund-francis-ned-12626 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=25 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52675557 |title=Governor for Victoria Announced |newspaper=[[The Examiner (Tasmania)]] |volume=CVII |issue=42 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=30 April 1949 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG|KBE|DSO|MC|KStJ|ED|KC}}''
| ''February 1949''
| ''October 1949''
|-
| 19
| [[Image:Sir Dallas Brooks talking with the Governor of West Australia, Sir James Mitchell.jpg|80px|]]
| General Sir [[Dallas Brooks]]<ref name="adb-brooks">{{cite web |last1=Serville |first1=Paul H. De |title=Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks (1896–1966) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brooks-sir-reginald-alexander-dallas-9592 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|GCMG|KCB|KCVO|DSO|KStJ}}
| 18 October 1949
| 7 May 1963
|-
| 20
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| Major General Sir [[Rohan Delacombe]]<ref name="adb-delacombe"/><br>{{postnominals|country=GBR|KCMG|KCVO|KBE|CB|DSO|KStJ}}
| 8 May 1963
| 31 May 1974
|-
| 21
| [[File:Sir_Henry_Winneke_(cropped).JPG|80px]]
| Sir [[Henry Winneke]]<ref name="adb-winneke">{{cite web |last1=Waugh |first1=John |title=Sir Henry Arthur Winneke (1908–1985) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/winneke-sir-henry-arthur-15768 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|KCMG|KCVO|OBE|QC}}
| 1 June 1974
| 28 February 1982
|-
| 22
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| Rear Admiral Sir [[Brian Murray (governor)|Brian Murray]]<ref name="adb-murray">{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Geoff |title=Sir Brian Stewart Murray (1921–1991) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murray-sir-brian-stewart-17502 |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=National Centre of Biography, [[Australian National University]] |access-date=16 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|KCMG|AO|RAN}}
| 1 March 1982
| 3 October 1985
|-
| -
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| ''(Lieutenant-Governor)<br>The Hon Sir [[John Young (jurist)|John Young]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132368661 |title=Governor quits in 'freebie' furore |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=60 |issue=18,266 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 October 1985 |accessdate=27 October 2025 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref><br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|KCMG|KStJ}}''
| ''October 1985''
| ''February 1986''
|-
| 23
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| [[The Reverend]] [[Davis McCaughey]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC}}
| 18 February 1986
| 22 April 1992
|-
| 24
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| The Hon [[Richard McGarvie]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|QC}}
| 23 April 1992
| 23 April 1997
|-
| 25
| [[Image:Coat of Arms of Victoria.svg|80px]]
| Sir [[James Gobbo]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|CVO|QC}}
| 24 April 1997
| 31 December 2000
|-
| 26
| [[Image:Bannister and Landy.jpg|80px]] 
| [[John Landy]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|CVO|MBE|FTSE}}
| 1 January 2001
| 7 April 2006
|-
| 27
| [[Image:David de Kretser Dsc 6787.jpg|80px]]
| Professor The Hon [[David de Kretser]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|FAA|FTSE|FAHMS}}
| 7 April 2006
| 7 April 2011
|-
| 28
| [[File:Alex Chernov Governor of Victoria.png|80px]]
| The Hon [[Alex Chernov]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|sep=|AC|KC}}
| 8 April 2011
| 30 June 2015
|-
| 29
| [[File:Linda Dessau.jpg|80px]]
| The Hon [[Linda Dessau]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|CVO}}
| 1 July 2015
| 30 June 2023
|-
| 30
| [[File:Governor of Victoria Portrait.jpg|80px]]
| Her Excellency The Hon [[Margaret Gardner]]<br>{{postnominals|country=AUS|AC|FASSA}}
| 9 August 2023
| ''Incumbent''
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|British Empire|Australia|Victoria}}
* [[Governor-General of Australia]]
* [[Governors of the Australian states]]
* [[Monarchy in Australia]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Governors of Victoria, Australia}}
* [http://www.governor.vic.gov.au/ The Official Website of the Governor of Victoria]

{{Clear}}
{{Governors of Victoria}}
{{Australian governors}}
{{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}}
{{Government of Victoria}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Governor of Victoria}}
[[Category:Governors of Victoria (Australia)| ]]
[[Category:Lists of viceroys in Australia|Victoria]]
[[Category:Parliament of Victoria]]
[[Category:Victoria (state)-related lists]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Australia]]