On Wednesday 17 December 2008, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Earlier, the Governor-General received Professor, International Law and Human Rights, Australian National University, Professor Hilary Charlesworth. In the afternoon, the Governor-General received the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Climate Coolers, Ms Natalie Isaacs. Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Co-Chair, Reconciliation Australia, Professor Mick Dodson and the Chief Executive, Reconciliation Australia, Ms Barbara Livesey. In the evening, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted a reception for Departmental Secretaries and Heads of Agencies.