Abortion Debate: Now the Governor General's At It

The front page of the soon to be mogulised Sun Herald sports the Governor General, Michael Jeffery, saying his two cents worth on "abortion, divorce, role models, eduction."

The GG has as much right as anyone else to speak publically on issues that concern him, but I make three points:

1. I'm interested to see if those who castigated former GG William Dean for speaking out on various issues (Aboriginal reconciliation and others) do the same to Jeffery. After all, (traditionally) GGs are supposed to be seen but not heard.
2. Did he approach the government for approval before he made the comments? Jeffery, being a straight down the middle ex military man, and one that hasn't put a foot wrong since taking on the Vice Regal gig, seems the type of guy who would ask before saying anything.
3. More intriguing still, was he put up to it by the government?

Of course, we'll never know, but the timing's impeccable.