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Changing the Leader — the Constitutional Conventions concerning the Resignation of Prime Ministers and Premiers

2011; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 39; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.22145/flr.39.3.1

1444-6928

Anne Twomey,

Political Systems and Governance

In recent times in Australia there have been a number of changes in the leader of the governing party at both Commonwealth and State level, leading to a change in the holder of the office of Prime Minister or Premier. These changes have occurred not as a consequence of retirement or the loss of an election, but because of the loss of support for the leader by the leader's parliamentary party. They include the South Australian change of Premier from Mike Rann to Jay Weatherill, the New South Wales changes of Premier from Morris Iemma to Nathan Rees to Kristina Keneally and the change in Prime Minister from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard. Earlier examples include the change from Bob Hawke to Paul Keating and from John Gorton to Billy McMahon. This article explores the connection between the loss of party support for a leader and the role of the Governor or Governor-General in the appointment and removal of the Premier or Prime Minister.