Buckingham Palace has released a statement announcing the appointment of the new Governor-General of Australia.

The present Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, will retire in March 2019.

Her Majesty The Queen, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Australia, has been pleased to approve the appointment of His Excellency General the Hon David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), as Governor-General Designate of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Buckingham Palace, 15 December 2018

The Hon David Hurley has served as the Governor of New South Wales from 2014, following the retirement of Dame Marie Bashir.

Today the Prime Minister has announced that the Queen has approved my appointment as the27th Governor-General of Australia.

It is the highest honour to be asked to be the Governor-General of Australia and I am humbled by the offer of this appointment.

Linda and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of New South Wales over the first half of next year with my role as Governor-General set to begin in late June 2019.

Over the past four years Linda and I have been inspired more than ever by the richness of our diverse Australian community, and the enormous capacity of Australians to contribute their time, energy, talents and resources to care for one another.

We are honoured to continue to serve the Australian people.

Statement from His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d)

Sir Peter Cosgrove has welcomed the announcement in a statement released on Sunday, 16 December 2018.

I welcome the announcement that His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) will be Australia’s next Governor-General, commencing in late June 2019.
 
HisExcellency has dedicated his professional life to service, first in the Australian Army and most recently as the Governor of New South Wales.
 
Lynne and I have known David and his wife Linda for many years and congratulate themboth. They are wonderful people who will represent and serve all Australians with distinction.

Governor-General of Australia His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d)

Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove have played host during royal visits, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in 2016, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Find out more about the Role of the Governor-General in Australia by visiting https://www.gg.gov.au.