View source for Governor of Western Australia

{{Short description|Representative of the monarch in Western Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Governor
| body = Western Australia
| flag = Flag of the Governor of Western Australia.svg
| flagsize = 150px
| flagcaption = Standard of the Governor{{Update inline|date=August 2025|reason=Tudor Crown now used: https://govhouse.wa.gov.au/The-governor/protocol-guidelines/}}
| insignia = Logo for the Governor of Western Australia.svg
| insigniasize = 100px
| insigniacaption = Badge of the governor
| image = Chris Dawson 2022.jpg
| imagesize = 150px
| incumbent = [[Chris Dawson (governor)|Chris Dawson]]
| incumbentsince = 15 July 2022
| department = [[Viceroy#Commonwealth realms|Viceregal]]
| style = [[His Excellency]] [[the Honourable]]
| residence = [[Government House, Perth]]
| seat = [[Perth]]
| appointer = [[Monarchy of Australia|Monarch]]
| appointer_qualified = on the advice of the [[Premier of Western Australia|premier]]
| termlength = [[At His Majesty's pleasure]]
| termlength_qualified = (usually 5 years by [[Constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]])
| constituting_instrument = 
| formation = 6 February 1832
| first = [[James Stirling (Royal Navy officer)|Captain James Stirling]]
| deputy = 
| salary = 
| website = {{URL|govhouse.wa.gov.au}}
}}
The '''governor of Western Australia''' is the representative in [[Western Australia]] of the monarch, King [[Charles III]]. As with the other [[governors of the Australian states]], the governor of Western Australia performs constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:

* presiding over the [[Executive Council of Western Australia|Executive Council]]
* proroguing and dissolving the [[Western Australian Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] and the [[Western Australian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]
* issuing writs for [[List of Western Australian Legislative Assembly elections|election]]s
* appointing [[Cabinet minister|Ministers]], [[Judge]]s, [[Magistrate]]s and [[Justice of the Peace|Justices of the Peace]]

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

Until the appointment of Sir [[James Mitchell (Australian politician)|James Mitchell]] in 1948, all governors of Western Australia had been British officials. After Mitchell's appointment, a further three Britons served as governor: Mitchell's two immediate successors, and then, from 1980 to 1983, Rear-Admiral Sir [[Richard Trowbridge]] who was the last non-Australian governor of any Australian state.<ref>{{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Western Australia | url=  http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard%5Chansard.nsf/0/cc4912a95f20d8eec8257570007f7408/$FILE/A36%20S2%2020030513%20p7514b-7514b.pdf | house=[[Western Australian Legislative Assembly]] |title=Rear Admiral Sir Richard John Trowbridge Condolence Motion | date=13 May 2003 |part=1 | page_start=7514 | page_end=7514 |speaker=[[Geoff Gallop|Dr Geoff Gallop]] |position=Premier}}</ref>

Although not a responsibility of the office of Governor of Western Australia, governors of Western Australia are - like all [[Governors of the Australian states]] - normally given a [[dormant commission]] to [[Administrator (Australia)|administer the government of the Commonwealth of Australia]] 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 - His Excellency the Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2024G00646/asmade |website=Federal Register of Australia |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)|Office of Parliamentary Counsel]] |access-date=5 October 2025 |date=1 November 2024}}</ref><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>

==Styles==
The governor of Western Australia is styled "[[His Excellency]]"  during his term in office (or Her Excellency for a female governor). In August 2014, three of the four living past governors – [[John Sanderson]], [[Ken Michael]] and [[Malcolm McCusker]] – were given the style "[[The Honourable]]", on the recommendation of the premier.<ref>[https://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/searchgazette/A654B4CDC3A231F748257D340007A941/$file/gg126.pdf Western Australian Government Gazette], 15 August 2014, No. 126, p. 2951. Retrieved 15 October 2014.</ref> The other living former governor, [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]], already held the style in virtue of his later service as [[governor-general of Australia]].

==Governor's standard==
The governor's standard of Western Australia is the same design as the British blue ensign with the union flag at the upper left quarter. On the right side, the state badge of Western Australia, comprising a black swan in a yellow disc, is surmounted by the St. Edward's crown.
 
If the standard is flying at Government House, on a vehicle or at an event, this indicates that the governor is present.
 
<gallery class="center">
File: Flag of the Governor of Western Australia (1870–1953).svg|1870–1953
File: Flag of the Governor of Western Australia (1953–1988).svg |1953-1988
File: Flag of the Governor of Western Australia.svg|1988 -present
</gallery>

==List of governors and lieutenant-governors==

===List of governors===
Stirling was only commissioned as the governor of Western Australia on 4 March 1831, rectifying the absence of a legal instrument providing the authority detailed in Stirling's instructions of 30 December 1828. Stirling had said of his own position: <blockquote>I believe I am the first Governor who ever formed a settlement without Commission, Laws, Instructions and Salary.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?dID=94 | title = Commission appointing Stirling Governor and Commander-in-Chief 4 March 1831 (UK) | work = Documenting a Democracy | publisher = National Archives of Australia | access-date = 2008-03-05 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080207042047/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?dID=94 | archive-date = 7 February 2008 | df = dmy-all }} - see also [http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/scan.asp?sID=1217 Scan of 1st page of parchment original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723155328/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/scan.asp?sID=1217 |date=23 July 2008 }} and {{cite web | last = Bathurst | author-link = Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst | year = 1831 | url = http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/wa5i_doc_1831.pdf | title = Transcription of Commission appointing Stirling Governor and Commander-in-Chief 4 March 1831 (UK) | format = pdf (5 pages) | work = Founding documents: 110 key documents that are the foundation of our nation | publisher = National Archives of Australia | access-date = 2008-03-05 }}</ref></blockquote>
{| class=wikitable
|-
! No.
! Portrait
! Governor
! From
! To
|-
| 1
| [[Image:Jamesstirling.jpg|80px]]
| Captain Sir [[James Stirling (Royal Navy officer)|James Stirling]] 
| 6 February 1832
| 2 January 1839<ref name = "PWA">{{cite web |title=GOVERNORS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/intranet/libpages.nsf/WebFiles/Fact+Sheets+HN7+Governors/$FILE/HN7+Governors.pdf |website=Parliament of Western Australia |access-date=21 October 2024 |page=4}}</ref>
|-
| 2
| [[Image:John Hutt.jpg|80px]]
| [[John Hutt]] 
| 3 January 1839
| 26 January 1846
|-
| 3
| [[Image:Andrew Clarke.jpg|80px]]
| Lieutenant Colonel [[Andrew Clarke (British Army officer, born 1793)|Andrew Clarke]] 
| 27 January 1846
| 11 February 1847
|-
| -
| [[Image:Frederick Irwin (1788-1860).jpg|80px]]
| Lieutenant Colonel [[Frederick Irwin]] (acting Governor)
| 12 February 1847
| 11 August 1848
|-
| 4
| [[Image:Charles Fitzgerald.jpg|80px]]
| Captain [[Charles Fitzgerald]] 
| 12 August 1848
| 22 July 1855
|-34 
| 5
| [[Image:ArthurEdwardKennedy.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Arthur Kennedy (governor)|Arthur Kennedy]]
| 23 July 1855
| 27 February 1862
|-
| 6
| [[Image:John Hampton.jpg|80px]]
| [[John Hampton]]
| 28 February 1862
| 1 November 1868
|-
| 7
| [[Image:Benjamin Pine.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Benjamin Pine]]<ref group=note>Although formally appointed Governor, Pine never actually came to Western Australia to take up his post; the role was filled by an administrator, Lieutenant Colonel [[John Bruce (British Army officer)|John Bruce]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}</ref>
| 2 November 1868
| 29 September 1869
|-
| 8
| [[Image:Frederick Weld.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Frederick Weld]]
| 30 September 1869
| 10 January 1875
|- 
| 9
| [[Image:Williamrobinson.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[William Cleaver Francis Robinson|William Robinson]] 
| 11 January 1875
| 11 November 1877
|-
| 10
| [[Image:HarryStGeorgeOrd-1877-1880.jpg|80px]]
| Major General Sir [[Harry Ord]]<ref group=note>Ord was Lieutenant-Governor from 12 November 1877 to 29 January 1878.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}</ref>
| 12 November 1877
| 9 April 1880
|-
| -
| [[Image:Williamrobinson.jpg|80px]]
| Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson  ''(2nd time)''
| 10 April 1880
| 1 June 1883
|-
| 11
| [[Image:Frederick Broome.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Frederick Broome]]
| 2 June 1883
| 19 October 1890
|-
| -
| [[Image:Williamrobinson.jpg|80px]]
| Sir William Robinson  ''(3rd time)''
| 20 October 1890
| 22 December 1895
|-
| 12
| [[Image:Gerard Smith Governor of WA.jpg|80px]]
| Lieutenant Colonel Sir [[Gerard Smith (governor)|Gerard Smith]] 
| 23 December 1895
| 30 April 1901
|-
| 13
| [[Image:Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock.png|80px]]
| Sir [[Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock|Arthur Lawley]] 
| 1 May 1901
| 23 March 1903
|-
| 14
| [[Image:Frederick Bedford Vanity Fair 3 December 1903.jpg|80px]]
| Admiral Sir [[Frederick Bedford]]
| 24 March 1903
| 30 May 1909
|-
| 15
| [[Image:Gerald Strickland 1930s.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Gerald Strickland, 1st Baron Strickland|Gerald Strickland]] 
| 31 May 1909
| 16 March 1913
|-
| 16
| [[Image:HarryBarron.jpg|80px]]
| Major General Sir [[Harry Barron]] 
| 17 March 1913
| 8 April 1917
|-
| 17
| [[Image:WGEllison-Macartney.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[William Ellison-Macartney]]
| 9 April 1917
| 8 April 1920 
|-
| 18
| [[Image:Francis Newdegate.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[Francis Newdegate]] 
| 9 April 1920
| 27 October 1924
|-
| 19
| [[Image:William Campion.jpg|80px]]
| Colonel Sir [[William Campion (governor)|William Campion]] 
| 28 October 1924
| 8 June 1931
|-
| 
| 
| N/A<ref group=note>The post of Governor was not filled between 1931 and 1948. Sir [[John Northmore (judge)|John Northmore]] was administrator until 29 June 1932. He was Lieutenant-Governor until 10 July 1933, and was succeeded as Lieutenant-Governor by Sir [[James Mitchell (Australian politician)|James Mitchell]] until 4 October 1948. Mitchell was appointed Governor from 5 October 1948.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}</ref>
| 1931
| 1948
|-
| 20
| [[Image:Sir James Mitchell.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[James Mitchell (Australian politician)|James Mitchell]] 
| 5 October 1948
| 30 June 1951
|-
| 21
| 
| General Sir [[Charles Gairdner]] 
| 6 November 1951
| 25 October 1963
|-
| 22
| 
| Major General Sir [[Douglas Kendrew]]
| 25 October 1963
| 6 January 1974
|-
| 23
| [[Image:HughieEdwards.jpg|80px]]
| Air Commodore Sir [[Hughie Edwards]]
| 7 January 1974
| 2 April 1975
|-
| 24
| 
| Air Chief Marshal Sir [[Wallace Kyle]]
| 24 November 1975
| 24 November 1980
|-
| 25
| [[Image:Richardtrowbridge.jpg|80px]]
| Rear Admiral Sir [[Richard Trowbridge]]
| 25 November 1980
| 24 November 1983
|-
| 26
| 
| [[Gordon Reid (governor)|Gordon Reid]] 
| 2 July 1984
| 30 September 1989
|-
| 27
| 
| Sir [[Francis Burt (judge)|Francis Burt]] 
| 20 March 1990
| 31 October 1993
|-
| 28
| [[Image:Jeffery Michael 030238DI-002.jpg|80px]]
| Major General [[Michael Jeffery (Australian Army officer)|Michael Jeffery]] 
| 1 November 1993
| 17 August 2000
|-
| 29
| 
| Lieutenant General [[John Sanderson]] 
| 18 August 2000
| 31 October 2005
|-
| 30
| [[Image:Ken Michael.jpg|80px]]
| [[Ken Michael]] 
| 18 January 2006
| 2 May 2011
|-
| 31
| [[Image:11 Nov gnangarra-10.jpg|80px]]
| [[Malcolm McCusker]]
| 1 July 2011
| 30 June 2014
|-
| 32
| [[Image:Kerry Sanderson Governor of Western Australia crop.jpg|80px]]
| [[Kerry Sanderson]]
| 20 October 2014
| 1 May 2018
|-
| 33
| [[Image:Kim Beazley crop.jpg|80px]]
| [[Kim Beazley]]
| 1 May 2018
| 30 June 2022
|-
|34
| [[Image:Chris Dawson 2022.jpg|80px]]
|[[Chris Dawson (governor)|Chris Dawson]]
|15 July 2022
|Current
|}

===List of lieutenant-governors===
The lieutenant-governor serves as deputy to the governor, fulfilling the governor's functions in the governor's absence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lieutenant Governor |url=https://govhouse.wa.gov.au/the-governor/lieutenant-governor/ |website=Government House Western Australia |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref>

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse:collapse;"
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
! width="4%"| No.
! width="10%"| Portrait
! width="50%"| Lieutenant-Governor
! width="20%"| From
! width="20%"| To
|-
| 1
| [[Image:Jamesstirling.jpg|80px]]
| Captain Sir [[James Stirling (Royal Navy officer)|James Stirling]] 
| 30 December 1828
| 5 February 1832<ref name = "PWA"/>
|-
|...
|
|
|
|
|-
|N/A
|[[Image:Sir James Mitchell.jpg|80px]]
| Sir [[James Mitchell (Australian politician)|James Mitchell]]
|1933
|1948<ref name = "PWA"/>
|-
|...
|
|
|
|
|-
|N/A
|
|[[Peter Quinlan]]
|27 November 2019
|Current
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Governors of Western Australia}}
* [http://www.govhouse.wa.gov.au/ Government House, Western Australia: The Official Website of the Governor of Western Australia]

{{Governors of Western Australia}}
{{Australian governors}}
{{Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions}}
{{Government of Western Australia}}

[[Category:Governors of Western Australia|*]]
[[Category:Lists of viceroys in Australia|Western Australia]]
[[Category:Parliament of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Western Australia-related lists]]