BRISBANE—Governor-General designate Quentin Bryce today declined to comment on the likelihood of a republic, saying it was an issue the Australian people must decide.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday named the current Queensland Governor to replace Major General Michael Jeffery as the Queen's representative in September.
Ms Bryce, a prominent lawyer, academic, women's activist and former sex discrimination commissioner, will be the first woman to hold the title in its 107-year history.
She told reporters at Government House in Brisbane today her appointment was a great honour, but would not be drawn on whether she might be be the country's last governor-general, with the election of the Rudd government having reignited speculation of Australia moving towards becoming a republic.
"It's an issue for the Australian people and (when the time is right) there will be a very robust and stimulating debate about that," Ms Bryce said.
Despite previously identifying herself as a monarchist, Ms Bryce has remained silent on the republic debate since she was made Queensland governor in 2003.
She instead told reporters - as she was photographed with her five grandchildren - she hoped her appointment to office would provide hope to women and girls across the country after growing up herself in the 1950s and 60s with few women role models.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today Ms Bryce's appointment was a sign society was changing.
"For many of (the past) 107 years, women wouldn't have been considered as appropriate for appointment to an office like this," Ms Gillard said.
"It's only in the last 10 or 20 (years) we've opened our eyes.
Liberal Senator Helen Coonan today said previous governments had been out of touch with public opinion on women in power.
"The country is ready for women to step up to the plate in these positions and perhaps it's the people doing the appointing that have not kept up with public sentiment," Senator COonan told ABC Radio.
Today, Mr Rudd defended questions about his tendency to propose Queenslanders for prominent national roles.
"Well she's spent a fair bit of her career in Sydney, but then again in Melbourne I suppose that's another crime against humanity," Mr Rudd told ABC Radio in Melbourne.
"She's a person who's achieved a national career, and you know something ... we've all got to come from somewhere, so there you go."
Ms Bryce grew up in the sheep and cattle farming Queensland town of Ilfracombe, with a population of about 385 people.
She, too, dismissed suggestions her home state had any bearing on her role.
"We Queenslanders do see ourselves as Australians, don't we?" she asked reporters.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said today she would recommend a replacement for Ms Bryce as the state's governor by the end of June, with the appointment subject to approval from the Queen.
Ms Bligh said she would welcome Queenslanders' suggestions on the new governor, but stressed it shouldn't be a "popularity contest".
Early speculation includes Chief Justice Paul de Jersey, Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe and former University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay.
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