Office of the Governor of South Australia (GA597)

The Office of the Governor of South Australia originated with the appointment of Captain John Hindmarsh by letters patent of His Majesty William IV dated 11 July 1836.

According to the letter of instruction from the Privy Council, the Governor was to preside over a Council of Government for the Colony. When the legislative and executive functions of this Council were separated in 1843 the Governor continued to preside over both new Councils but in 1851 a new constitution of the Legislative Council was adopted (based on elected representation as well as nominated representation) and the Governor ceased to preside over this Council.
The Governor's participation in political affairs waned after the Colony achieved responsible government in 1856.

In the present day the Governor's role as head of the Executive Council is to carry out the formal and ritual acts which embody the policy decisions made by the Ministers and Cabinet (such as assenting to Acts etc.). The Governor is also nominally responsible for other executive activites in relation to Parliament such as summoning a meeting of Parliament and dissolving a House of Parliament before an election, however in a majority of cases the Governor is acting under the advice of the Premier of the day.

The Governor, as the representative of the Crown, also performs a number of ceremonial duties. The Govenor does not directly employ anyone apart from personal staff and, following the example of the Monarch, is not permitted to take personal responsibility for any action relating to Parliament.

Same agency as GRG2 - differenct archival control system.