Australia appoints first woman governor general

Canberra: A woman has been appointed for the first time to what is officially Australia's highest office: governor general, the British monarch's representative in the country.

Former sex discrimination commissioner and academic Quentin Bryce will take up the post in September after the incumbent's term expires, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced yesterday.

Maj Gen Michael Jeffery now holds the position.

The governor general - a fixture of Australia's federal government since it began in 1901 - fulfils a mainly ceremonial role, with ruling power held by parliament. The role carries formal titles, however, including commander in chief of the military.

Picked by PM

The British monarch appoints the governor general, though by convention the prime minister picks the sole candidate.

When Bryce takes up the role, it will be the first time the monarch - for the past 56 years Queen Elizabeth II - has been represented in Australia by a woman.

"It's taken us 107 years. It's been a while," Rudd said. "It's good that it's happened." Australia is a constitutional monarchy and, like many former British colonies, retains close ties to the English royals.