Governor-General
After the 1987 federal election Hawke offered Hayden the post of Governor-General as some consolation for his stepping down as leader and not having the chance to become the Prime Minister. The Queen of Australia's appointment of Hayden as the next Governor-General to succeed Sir Ninian Stephen was publicly announced in mid-1988, and within three months he left parliament and severed all connections with the Labor Party. He assumed the post in early 1989, and served with discretion and distinction during the somewhat chaotic transition from the Hawke government to the Keating government in December 1991. As a mark of respect for the service Hayden had rendered to the Australian Crown, the usual term of five years for a Governor-General was extended to seven years.
Early in his term, he was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia to fulfil the Governor-General's role as Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. He had previously said he would never accept any honours.
The Governor-General is normally the Chief Scout of Australia. Hayden declined the office on the grounds of his atheism, which was incompatible with the Scout Oath.
Read more about this topic: Bill Hayden