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Isaac Isaacs
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==Governor-General, 1931–1936== [[File:Sir Isaac Isaacs and Lady Isaacs.jpg|thumb|right|Isaacs in his viceregal uniform, standing with his wife, Sydney, ca. 1934.]] Shortly after Isaacs became Chief Justice, the office of governor-general fell vacant and, after Cabinet discussion, Scullin offered the post to Isaacs. Although the proposal was supposed to be confidential until communicated to [[George V|King George V]], word got out. While Isaacs was personally esteemed, public opinion divided strongly over whether a governor-general should be an Australian, with perceived risks of local political bias. During Scullin's 1930 trip to Europe he personally advised the King to make the appointment and, although the King shared the concern about local political bias, he reluctantly accepted Scullin's advice,{{sfn|Cowen|1993|pp=vii–ix, 191–206}} while noting in his diary that he thought the choice would be “very unpopular” in Australia. Isaacs's appointment was announced in December 1930, and he was sworn in on 22 January 1931. He was the first Australian-born governor-general. Thus Isaacs agreed to a reduction in salary and conducted the office with great frugality. He gave up his official residences in Sydney and Melbourne and most official entertaining. Although he was sworn into office in the chamber of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] in Melbourne, rather than in [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House]] in Canberra, he was the first governor-general to live permanently at [[Government House, Canberra]]. This was well-received with the public, as was Isaacs's image of rather austere dignity. Isaacs was promoted to a [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George]] in April 1932.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33819|date=22 April 1932|page=2633}}</ref> His term as governor-general concluded on 23 January 1936, and he retired to Victoria.<ref name=ADB/> In 1937, he was further honoured with the award of [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34396|date=11 May 1937|page=3079 |supp=y}}</ref>
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