Australia Swears in First Female Governor General

Australia has sworn in its first female governor general - the Queen's representative in the country.

Quentin Bryce, 65, a former lawyer and governor in the state of Queensland, is Australia's 25th governor-general, replacing Major General Michael Jeffery, who retired after five years in the job.

In a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, she pledged an oath of allegiance to the Queen as a 21-gun salute was fired outside.

"I want you to know that I take on this role with solemnity, impartiality, energy and a profound love for the country we share," she said. "I promise to be open, responsive and faithful to the contemporary thinking and working of Australian society."

The prime minister, Kevin Rudd, announced Bryce as his choice in April. She has a background in politics, law and human rights and has been a senior bureaucrat in women's rights, childcare and anti-discrimination offices.

"It took us 107 years, but we got there in the end," Rudd said. "It is not always an easy role, but it is one of the greatest honors that the nation can bestow on one of its citizens. I am sure you will fill [the role] with dignity, with distinction, with commitment."Bryce is thought to be a republican and Rudd is a supporter of the republican movement. Given this, some Australians feel that Bryce, appointed to a five-year term, may be the country's last governor general.

Australia voted in a referendum in 1999 to stay with the British monarchy, and it is widely thought the question will not arise again at least until Prince Charles takes the throne, due to the popularity of the Queen.

Leaders of the republican movement hope Bryce's appointment, together with Rudd's election victory last year, could bring the issue back to the fore.

"The most we hope for is that he might start at more spirited discussion of the republic issue during this term in government," said John Warhurst, the deputy chairman of the Australian Republican Movement. "We hope that maybe by the time of the next election he may have a specific program for his next term."