Canberra, ACT; Inverell, NSW

On Thursday 18 February 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Later, the Governor-General issued the Instruments of Appointment of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to their respective new offices.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General issued the Oaths of Office and Executive Councillor to the newly appointed Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries: the Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources; Senator the Honourable Mathias Cormann, Minister for Finance and Special Minister of State; Senator the Honourable Fiona Nash, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Rural Health and Minister for Regional Communications; the Honourable Steven Ciobo MP, Minister for Trade and Investment; the Honourable Darren Chester MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Minister for International Development and the Pacific; Senator the Honourable Scott Ryan, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills; the Honourable Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Human Services; the Honourable Daniel Tehan MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Materiel; Senator the Honourable Matthew Canavan, Minister for Northern Australia; the Honourable Michael McCormack MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence; the Honourable Kenneth Wyatt AM MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Aged Care; the Honourable Dr Peter Hendy MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance; Senator the Honourable James McGrath, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection; the Honourable Jane Prentice MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services; the Honourable Angus Taylor MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation; the Honourable Keith Pitt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources; and the Honourable Craig Laundy MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services.

In the afternoon, at Macintyre High School, Inverell, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Principal, Mr Lindsay Paul, viewed the facilities and met with students, teachers and staff.

Afterwards, at the Linking Together Centre, Inverell, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Program Manager, Ms Kerrie-Anne Dettmann, met with volunteers, staff and participants.

Later, at McLean Care, Inverell, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the CEO, Ms Sue Thomson, met with clients, residents and staff.

Then, at the BEST Food Garden, Inverell, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of CEO, BEST, Ms Penny Alliston-Hall, viewed the Garden and met with participants, volunteers and team leaders.

Afterwards, at the Returned Services Memorial Club, Inverell, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, and as guests of the President, RSL Inverell Sub-branch, Mr Patrick McMahon, attended an afternoon tea and presentation on the Kurrajong re-enactment commemorative activities.

In the evening, at the Inverell Town Hall, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove as guests of the Mayor, Inverell Shire, Councillor Paul Harmon, attended a civic reception.