Federal Executive Council; Swearing-in Ceremony; Ceremonial Welcome and State Lunch for Their Excellencies Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae; Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust scholarship ceremony

On Thursday 28 May 2015, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a ceremony at which the Governor-General issued the oath of office to the Honourable Michael Keenan MP as Minister for Justice and appointed him to administer the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Attorney-General’s Department; and issued the oath of office to Senator the Honourable Concetta Fierravanti-Wells as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services and appointed her to administer the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Social Services.

Later, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a Ceremonial Welcome for Their Excellencies Lieutenant General the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Lady Janine Mateparae.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with the Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Janine, and received: the High Commissioner for New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Christopher Seed; Official Secretary to the Governor-General of New Zealand, Mr Gregory Baughen; and Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, High Commissioner, Mr Michael Potts.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a State Lunch in honour of the Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Janine. Guests included: the Honourable Justice Virginia Bell AC; the Honourable Bronwyn Bishop MP; Lieutenant General John Caligari AO DSC; the Honourable Steven Ciobo MP; Mr Rodney Cox and Ms Lisa Cox; the Honourable Michael Danby MP; Ms Noeleen Dix and Mr Lee Yelland; Professor Simon Foote and Dr Sue Robinson; the Honourable Sussan Ley MP; Professor Robert Lusby and Mrs Mary Lusby; Mr Allan McKinnon; the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson and Ms Gillian Adamson; Senator the Honourable Stephen Parry; Ms Mary Porter AM MLA and Mr Ian De Landelles; Mr Michael Potts; Mr Dennis Richardson AO and Mrs Betty Richardson; Mr Bert van Manen MP and Mrs Judi van Manen; Mr Peter Varghese AO and Mrs Margaret Varghese; Dr Gerard Vaughan AM; His Excellency Mr Pedro Raul Villagra Delgado; and Professor Hugh White AO.

Later, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Lady Cosgrove hosted the Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust scholarship presentation ceremony.