Updating The Model Of A Modern Governor
The Age
Friday January 20, 2006
THIS time, there was no controversy. Premier Steve Bracks announced yesterday that David de Kretser, an international authority in the field of reproductive biology, had accepted a five-year appointment as Victoria's next governor. This restores the conventional term that had been cut to 3 1/2 years for the appointments of current Governor John Landy and his predecessor, Sir James Gobbo. Both involved minor controversies: Sir James' term was limited by uncertainties about a referendum on the republic; later the recently elected Bracks Government refused to extend his term. Instead, it appointed Mr Landy for 31/2 years. Mr Landy's term was extended by 18 months in 2004 and he will retire on April 7, after the Commonwealth Games. There is a fitting symmetry in this, as he first represented state and country as one of our finest sportsmen half a century ago.
Today there is an anachronistic element to serving as the Queen's representative in the state where support for a republic is strongest, but that does not detract from the high quality of recent governors. Professor de Kretser and Mr Landy, an agricultural scientist, do represent a break from the uninspired tradition of selecting governors from the ranks of retired military officers and judges, although the tradition of male governors remains unbroken.Professor de Kretser brings something new to the office in other ways, including his origins - he migrated from Sri Lanka as a child - and occupation. Victoria's 2001 Father of the Year - he and wife Janice have four sons - has served his state as researcher and teacher (he founded Monash Institute of Medical Research), doctor (he still consults with patients) and men's health advocate. As the BioMelbourne Network chairman, he already promotes Victoria to the world. It is a distinguished apprenticeship for his role as the state's 27th governor.
© 2006 The Age