How is the Governor-General appointed in Australia?

The appointment of the Governor-General in Australia is performed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, which is grounded in the constitutional conventions and practices of the nation. This process reflects the constitutional monarchy framework that Australia operates within, where the Queen remains the official head of state, but her powers are exercised in practice by the Governor-General.

The Prime Minister, as the leader of the government, provides counsel to the Queen regarding who should serve in this role, which is a reflection of the Prime Minister's responsibility and the trust placed in them to recommend suitable candidates. This arrangement emphasizes the role of the Prime Minister in the functioning of the government while ensuring that the appointment maintains a connection to the monarchy.

The other options suggest methods of appointment that do not align with the constitutional processes established in Australia. For example, a parliamentary vote would imply a democratic selection process among elected officials, while a public referendum would involve the populace directly in the decision-making process, neither of which is how the Governor-General is appointed. Appointing the Governor-General by the previous officeholder is also not standard practice, as it could lead to conflicts of interest and does not reflect the democratic principles or the formalized advisory role of the Prime Minister in the appointment process.