Australia Has First Female Governor-General

Sydney, Australian (AHN) - Quentin Bryce was sworn in Friday as Australia's first female governor-general.

Although her position is largely symbolic, to represent the Queen, swear in lawmakers and give the Royal Assent to new laws, it also has some powers including the dismissal of the prime minister, which then governor general Sir John Kerr tapped in 1975 to remove from office prime minister Gough Whitlam.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced his choice of Bryce in April.

The 65-year old Bryce is one of the first females accepted to the law bar in Queensland. She was the former federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Queensland Director of Human Rights.

Robert French, the chief justice of the Australian High Court administered the oath of allegiance to the governor-general. The oath-taking ceremony was followed by a 21-gun salute.

Bryce is expected to pursue championing human rights in her new role.