Constitution of Queensland in the context of Government of Queensland

In Australia, a lieutenant-governor is a standing appointment for a deputy governor of a state, who acts in place of the governor if the governor is unable, unavailable or unwilling to act.

Constitutionally, Australian state lieutenant-governors, administrators and chief justices of state supreme courts are normally separate offices. However, in many states, such as New South Wales, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is also the lieutenant-governor. In 2001, the Constitution of Queensland was amended to restore the office of lieutenant-governor in that state. When a state governor dies, resigns, or is absent, an administrator or acting governor is appointed. The state lieutenant-governors/administrators have no standing powers but stand ready to take up the governor's role.

The Queensland Government is the executive government of the state of Queensland, Australia. Government is formed by the party or coalition that has gained a majority in the Legislative Assembly, with the governor officially appointing office-holders. The first government was formed in 1859 when Queensland separated from New South Wales under the state constitution. Since federation in 1901, Queensland has been a state of Australia, with the Constitution of Australia regulating its relationship with the Commonwealth. Like its federal counterpart, the Queensland Government takes the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Queensland's system of government is influenced by the Westminster system and Australia's federal system of government. Executive acts are given legal force through the actions of the governor of Queensland (the representative of the monarch, Charles III), although the governor in practice performs only ceremonial duties, with de facto executive power lying with the Cabinet. The Cabinet is the government's chief policy-making organ which consists of the premier and senior ministers. Each minister is responsible for exercising policy and legislation through the respective state government department.