A journalist for Governor-General

The role of the Governor General in Australia's political system has come into question in recent times over whether it is still relevant. Perhaps having a prominent journalist in the position might reinvigorate the Vice-Regal office.

Reporter David Penberthy ignited the recent debate by writing:

"There's been an on-again, off-again debate about whether the G-G plays any real role at all anymore. Save for the swearing in of ministers and delivering the PM's speech at the opening of Parliament, the statesmanlike role of the Governor-General is now blurred with the office of the Prime Minister. That goes to being our mourner-in-chief when our troops die serving their country overseas, or when civilians fall prey to an act of terror or a natural catastrophe and on happier occasions, when simply cheering on our many national teams at major sporting events."

The Commonwealth of Australia, a federation founded in 1901, is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. Her representative in this county is the Governor General, largely a ceremonial position. Likewise, each of the six states has Governors.

The Governor General is Commander in Chief and can sack the Prime Minister. This has only happened once, in 1975. According to well established political convention, the Governor General acts on the advice from the Prime Minister on political matters.

Male politicians, diplomats, soldiers, judges have traditionally fulfilled the role of the Governor General. But in September 2008, academic and lawyer Quentin Bryce became the first woman to be sworn in as Australia's Governor-General.

Perhaps it is now time for a journalist to occupy Yarralumla, the GG's official residence.

Journalists, for better or worse, now play a major role in our society in defending freedom of speech and keeping democracy healthy.

Our Canadian cousins have already had three women, two who have been journalists, as Governor General. Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a federation similar to ours but is officially bi-lingual, English and French being the national languages.

We reached nationhood in 1901 with federation of the 6 colonies whilst the Canadian's reached theirs in 1867 with the confederation of their various provinces.

Canadian Adrienne Clarkson (nee Poy) was an author and television anchor before becoming the first Asian-Canadian and the second woman to serve in the position of Governor General, serving from 1999 to 2005. She was born in Hong Kong to a Chinese Australian merchant father, William Poy.

Clarkson's paternal grandfather emigrated from China to Australia and opened a general store in Chiltern, Victoria.

The current office holder is Michelle Jean, the first black Canadian to do so. She was born in Haiti, in the Caribbean, and later immigrated to Canada, and became a prominent French speaking journalist.

Prominent Canadian defence reporter Scott Taylor has written about how she has earned the respect of the Canadian military.

There have been female governors of Australian states, Dame Roma Mitchell of South Australia, and Professor Marie Bashir of New South Wales, come to mind.

Dame Roma Mitchell was a trailblazer. She was the first woman in Australia to be made a QC, the first female Supreme Court Judge, female university chancellor and female Governor.

In 2001, Professor Bashir, of Lebanese Christian ancestry, became the first female state governor of New South Wales.

Sir Douglas Nicholls was the first indigenous Australian to be a state governor - of South Australia.

Four journalist names appear to me as the perfect candidates for Australia's next Governor General, and I would urge Prime Minister Julia Gillard or her successor to seriously consider them.

Number one on my list is Les Carlyon, award winning journalist, former editor of the Herald and Weekly Times, and bestselling author. Les, in his books on Gallipoli and the Great War, has done more than anyone to preserve and promote Australia's Anzac legend, the very ethos on which this country was built. Furthermore, as a horse racing man, he would have mixed easily with all sections of society. One of the prerequisites for the job of Governor General is to be a people person.

Caroline Jones, 1938, is a public broadcaster and award winning journalist and author who has touched the hearts of many ordinary people with her uplifting and inspirational look at the meaning of life. She was an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Caroline was a foundation member of the Australian Council for the Arts (1973) and a foundation member of The National Films Board of Review (1971). In 1988 she was appointed an Ambassador for Reconciliation by The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation

In 1997 Caroline Jones was voted one of Australia's 100 National Living Treasures.

Caroline, if appointed, would become the second female Governor General. Ignoring gender quotas or political correctness, she would still be one of the best people for the job.

Then there is Melbourne radio talkback king Neil Mitchell, born 1951, who has the ear of the common people.

He was awarded the A.O. (Officer of the Order of Australia) in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours List for service to the print, radio and television media, and to the community through a range of charitable institutions.

Furthermore, Mitchell is a role model that younger people can relate to and would take seriously his anti-drug message. He revealed that he had tried marijuana two or three times.

"When I was a kid I tried it, briefly, but certainly never once a week," he said.

"I enjoyed it, but not massively. I was of a different generation and more interested in a beer and a chat."

Mitchell said today's marijuana was far more dangerous than the plants he tried.

"In its current form it's one of the most insidious and dangerous things we've got to cope with," he said

Last but not least is ex-ABC TV reporter Chris Masters, born 1948, who through his investigative work has exposed corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and injustices.

Or we can play it "safe" and stick to ex-politicians, diplomats, soldiers and judges. Putting that aside, I think General Peter Cosgrove, the hero of East Timor, would be an excellent candidate.