Executive Council

Part IV of the Victorian Constitution establishes the Executive Council and amongst other things, provides that the Governor shall preside at the meetings of the Executive Council. Where an important step is to be taken under an "Act", the Minister responsible for that Act makes a written recommendation to the "Governor in Council" to make the required order, proclamation, regulation or appointment to public office. The Governor has a right to counsel the Minister responsible for the recommendation to ensure that the power is exercised within the framework of the law, basic constitutional principles and customs of good government practice. At the meetings, the Ministers representing the Government (usually four) advise the Governor how to act on the recommendations, and the Governor will act as advised.