G-G 'should waive right to decide PM'

07:00 AEDT Mon Aug 23 2010

By ninemsn staff

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Governor-General Quentin Bryce is being urged to waive her right to decide who should form a government in the event of a hung parliament.

Ethicists have warned that Ms Bryce faces a significant conflict of interest in the matter after her daughter Chloe married Labor powerbroker Bill Shorten last year, the Daily Telegraph reports.

According to a 1998 parliamentary paper, it is "generally accepted" that the governor-general's reserve powers include appointing a prime minister in the case of a hung parliament.

But ethicist Leslie Cannold told the newspaper Ms Bryce should not exercise that power.

"This matter involves a potential conflict in that Quentin Bryce's son-in-law is a prominent Labor MP," Ms Cannold was quoted as saying.

"It is important for the Governor-General to recognise there is at least the appearance of a conflict, and that she should excuse herself from deciding who forms the next government."

A spokesperson for Ms Bryce declined to comment on the matter.

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