Administrator of the Government
The Administrator of the Government, often shortened to Administrator, is the title given to a person acting in place any of the Governors-General of Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, or of the Governors or Lieutenant Governors of their states or provinces. The title also exists in other Commonwealth Realms. The Administrator is appointed if the Governor-General, Governor or Lieutenant Governor is incapacitated, outside the country, or otherwise unable to perform his/her duties, though details vary from territory to territory.In Canada the Administrator is the Chief Justice of Canada, or in his absence the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court.
In the Commonwealth of Australia, the Administrator, usually called the Administrator of the Commonwealth, is by convention the longest-serving state Governor. For example, in May 2003 when Dr Peter Hollingworth stood aside (later resigning) as Governor-General, Tasmanian Governor Sir Guy Green was appointed Administrator.
In the states of Australia, executive authority generally passes to the Lieutenant-Governor, and in the absence of the Lieutenant-Governor, to an Administrator, who is by default the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the next most senior justice. In many states the Chief Justice is the Lieutenant-Governor. See Administrator (Australia).
In New Zealand, the line of succession is 'the Chief Justice, followed by the President of the Court of Appeal, and then the Senior Judge of that same court.' For example, in April 2003, when Dame Silvia Cartwright was overseas, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias was appointed Administrator.
In crown colonies this person is known as the Officer Administering the Government.
The title Administrator is also held by the ceremonial head of one of the Territories of Australia, and by the chief official of some of the minor overseas territories of the United Kingdom.