On Wednesday 5 November 2008, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE departed Australia on an Official visit to France.

Earlier, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. In the evening, at the Sydney Opera House, the Administrator attended the 2008 City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture, delivered by Mr Patrick Dodson. In the afternoon, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the departure from Australia of the King of Tonga, His Majesty King George Tupou, by Colonel William Monfries ADC, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.