GOVERNOR-General Quentin Bryce has raised eyebrows by ordering private security briefings from top public servants - including the head of the armed forces.
Of course she has raised eyebrows, sections 62 and 63 of the constitution are quite clear about her role; she exercises her powers on the advice of the executive council, not on the advice of public servants.
The only time she is permitted to consider or accept advice outside that given by the executive council is when she is exercising the reserve powers.
Two weeks ago, Ms Bryce summoned the head of the defence forces, Air Chief Marshall, Angus Houston, along with the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Michael L'Estrange and the Treasury Secretary, Dr Ken Henry to her official Canberra residence, Yarralumla...
A spokeswoman confirmed the official briefings by three departmental heads was the first of its kind in the 107-year history of the office.
It followed another first for the Governor-General, a televised address to the nation by Ms Bryce following the devastating loss of life in the Victorian bush fires.
The spokeswoman said Ms Bryce regarded her request for the briefings as "appropriate'' given global economic conditions - and the fact Australian soldiers were serving on the front line in Afghanistan.
Sorry Quentin - there are no reserve powers for you to exercise in relation to the GFC or Afghanistan.
And the bushfire thing that seems like little more than an attempt to get her mug on the box; still what more can we expect from a lifelong activist:
Ms Bryce said she was most proud of her time as sex discrimination commissioner and being a champion of equality of opportunity and fighting against sexual harassment.
"I've never owned a pair of jeans but I had a fantastic denim boiler-suit and it got a lot of wearing," she recalled.
The controversy probably wouldn't have happened if she had retained senior staff:
Ms Bryce caused a flurry on arrival at Yarralumla by sacking long-serving Official Secretary Malcolm Hazell from his $225,000 job, replacing him with ex-ambassador Stephen Brady.
Mr Hazell had been on former prime minister John Howard's personal staff. Ms Bryce's predecessor, Major-General Michael Jeffery was reportedly "livid'' and confronted Ms Bryce over the sacking.
Ms Bryce has a chequered history in retaining senior employees. In her five-year term as Queensland Governor, there was a revolving door of personnel at Government House.
Anyone wonder why this egotist had trouble retaining senior staff?
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