VPRS 4062 Crisis Minute Book

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As originally the Lieutenant Governor (1851 1855) and under the 1855 Victorian Constitution the ultimate executive power in the State is vested in the Governor as the representative of the Crown. Under the Constitution, this executive power is exercised through and with the advice of the elected Government and its Ministers, although prior to 1855, the Lieutenant-Governor had full executive authority.

This series consists of Minutes and Memoranda kept during the political crisis of 1877 1878 when the Legislative Council blocked supply to the Government. This led to the proposal to alter the Constitution Act to better define the powers of the Houses of Parliament and the Governor. Most Minutes and Memoranda to and from the Government are printed copies with some handwritten texts of them from the Chief Secretary and others.