like a number of Governors-General, quite a few have, however, been mem-
bers of the UK Privy Council, which enabled them to sit on the Judicial
Committee when it was still part of the Australian court system. Nor has
there ever been a full meeting of the Executive Council, even for a ceremonial
purpose. Its entire existence revolves around the business for whose despatch
it was created.
The Council generally meets fortnightly, sitting at a small dining table at
Government House, Yarralumla; refreshments or even lunch may follow. It is
chaired by the Governor-General (not a member except when previously
appointed) and attended by two ministers, usually of junior rank. It is serviced
by a secretariat located in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(DPMC).
In the UK, Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, the formal body
of advisers to the sovereign, is a much grander institution. Its main member-
ship is drawn from the ranks of senior politicians on both sides of the House of
Commons. The Leader of the Opposition is immediately sworn of the Privy
Council if not already a member. Others, apart from members of the royal
family, include the two archbishops and the Bishop of London; the private
secretary to the sovereign; the Lord Chamberlain; the Speaker of the House of
Commons and the Lord Speaker; numerous judges; and a small number of
senior officials. Particular individuals may be appointed, for example, so that
they may sit on an enquiry into some public matter. The Clerk of the Privy
Council heads an independent unit within the Cabinet Office.
The Privy Council meets once a month wherever the Queen is residing.
She stands at meetings. The Lord President, a Cabinet minister, reads a list
of Orders to which the Queen simply says: ‘Approved’. At the Demise
of the Crown and the succession of a new monarch, the Privy Council is
especially active.
Canada also has a Privy Council. The nomenclature itself indicates
that Canada modelled its government more closely on that of the UK than
Australia ever attempted to do. The British North America Act stated:‘There
shall be a Council to aid and advise in the Government of Canada, to be styled
the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada’(section 11). In a section which may
have been influential in drafting the Australian Constitution,‘The Provisions
of this Act referring to the Governor General in Council shall be construed
as referring to the Governor General acting by and with the Advice of the
Queen’s Privy Council of Canada’(section 13).
As with the UK Privy Council, others, apart from ministers and senior
politicians (but only occasionally parliamentary secretaries), may be
appointed—provincial premiers, senior officials and prominent Canadians,
government and Opposition whips, and the Speakers of the Senate and the
House of Commons upon retirement. Members of the parliamentary Security
J. R. Nethercote