when that post is vacant or when the governor is out of the State or unable to act. The administrator takes on those duties if both the governor and lieutenant-governor are not able to act for the above reasons. The lieutenant-governor is appointed by the governor on the advice of the Premier of Victoria. Appointment as lieutenant-governor of itself confers no powers or functions. If there is no governor or if the governor is unavailable to act for a substantial period, the lieutenant-governor assumes office as administrator and exercises all the powers and functions of a governor. If expecting to be unavailable for a short period only, the governor with the consent of the premier, usually commissions the lieutenant-governor to act as deputy governor, performing some or all of the powers and functions of the governor. Ken Lay, former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police and police officer, is the current lieutenant-governor. Commonwealth At the time of 28 March 2014, the Commonwealth deputies of the Governor-General were DameMarie Bashir AD CVO and Alex Chernov AC QC. Further deputies are appointed to exercise narrow powers, such as convening executive meetings, opening parliament and swearing in new politicians. There is no lieutenant-governor. State governors hold a dormant commission to act as Administrator of the Commonwealth should the governor-general die, resign, or be absent overseas or on leave. By convention, the longest-serving state governor acts as administrator. Presently, the longest-serving state governor is Linda Dessau, who has been Governor of Victoria since 1 July 2015. On 1 August 2015, Paul de Jersey held the office as administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. History Historically, a lieutenant-governor could also be the deputy of the New South Wales governor in a particular territory. In the early and mid-19th century, lieutenant-governors ran Australasian sub-colonies that were initially subordinate to the colony of New South Wales, such as Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Victoria and the Bay of Islands (New Zealand). References Australian constitutional law