Australia swears in first woman governor-general

Canberra: Australia's 25th governor-general was sworn into office as the representative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth on Friday, with republicans holding out little hope that Australia will abolish the job any time soon.

Former lawyer Quentin Bryce is the first woman to hold the post in Australia and takes over from former military commander Major-General Michael Jeffery, who retired after five years on Wednesday.

Identity debate

Her appointment reignited a debate over the country's identity, with many Australians wanting the country to become a republic, although Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has not yet outlined any plans to rekindle the debate.

"The most we hope for is that he might start a more spirited discussion of the republic issue during this term of government," Australian Republican Movement deputy chairman John Warhurst said.

Republicans believe Queen Elizabeth, who is also Queen of Australia, is Australia's actual head of state. Monarchists say the Queen is just the monarch, and that the governor-general is head of state.