On Thursday 18 September 2008, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Andrew Metcalfe. In the afternoon, the Governor-General received the Secretary of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Dr Jeff Harmer. Afterwards, the Governor-General received a farewell call from the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, Her Excellency Mrs Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist.