Governor sought advice on sacking government

The NSW Governor, Marie Bashir, has for the first time admitted she has sought the advice of constitutional lawyers on her power to sack the state government.Speaking on ABC radio this morning, Ms Bashir also said she spoke regularly to the Premier, Kristina Keneally, and other ministers - and made her views on the ongoing state of upheaval in the government known to them.Ms Bashir, who has presided over numerous swearing-in ceremonies since Labor was elected in March 2007, wouldn't divulge what she'd said to Ms Keneally during their private chats, in line with her role being "above politics."The Governor has special reserve powers to dissolve the government, but only under provisions within the Constitution Act 1902.These include occasions when a government has acted illegally, or if the majority of MPs in the lower house support a motion of no confidence in the government.When asked if she would respond to calls for her to sack the state government, Ms Bashir said democracy would take it's course at the next election."They [the public] have elected the members of parliament themselves and indeed the only way they [the government] can disappear, so to speak, is if there's a vote of no confidence."In fact we consult the constitutional lawyers, the experts, on every small detail on these things so that there's no doubt about it."Elections do come round from time to time so it's back in the hands of the people."