ABC star Annabel Crabb leaps to the defence of new Governor-General Sam Mostyn – and declares that the outrage over her appointment was unwarranted
Annabel Crabb has waded into the row over the appointment of Australia’s new Governor-General, writing a lengthy essay defending Sam Mostyn and attacking her critics.
Ms. Mostyn, 58, is a businesswoman who has been appointed to numerous corporate boards for her advocacy of feminist and indigenous causes and climate change initiatives.
She was criticized as a “woke” appointment by conservative critics who decried her long history in identity politics, and sensitivity about it led to the removal of many of her previous social media posts.
Now Crabb has hit back at the “vicious charges,” specifically News Corporation columnists Andrew Bolt and Janet Albrechtsen.
Crabb mocked the writing skills of Ms Albrechtsen, a columnist at The Australian, before attempting to defuse her “fusillade of outrage”.
The appointment of Annabel Crabb (pictured) to the role of Governor-General sparked widespread criticism after deleted posts emerged on social media claiming she had caused ‘woe’ causes
But now ABC star Annabel Crabb (pictured, left) has written a nearly 1,500-word piece in defense of Ms Mostyn
The ABC veteran disagreed with Ms Albrechtsen’s central argument that Ms Mostyn did not have the business qualifications for the role and was only given it because she was a woman.
“There have been 27 Governors General of this federation so far. One of them, Dame Quentin Bryce, was a woman,” Crabb wrote.
“The addition of another confirms, to a rational eye, even vaguely an emerging new underclass of judicial and military lords, crushed under the ruthless Jimmy Choos of a new rokocracy.”
Crabb then criticized Ms Mostyn’s relative youth, arguing that her strength lay in her difference from former governor-generals who had normally risen through the ranks of law, industry or the military.
“She is more of a sole proprietor than a corporate person,” Crabb wrote.
“It was hers to share her views, unconstrained by the structural requirements associated with judicial or religious robes, or military garb.”
She added: “All four powerhouses for the governor-generalship – courts, clergy, military and parliament – have proven fallible.
“Why then should we continue to view them as monopolistic suppliers of local talent?”
Crabb then turned her fire on Sky News presenter Bolt, who had dismissed Ms Mostyn’s appointment as “the triumph of positive discrimination over talent or achievement”.
“Ms. Mostyn has held many jobs in many organizations,” Crabb wrote.
“There is a lot of evidence of her values, beliefs and practices in those jobs.
“There is very little evidence that she has ever behaved in a manner that would embarrass or disrespect any organization with which she is associated.
“Or from using a public platform to silence those who disagree with her or disparage her.”
Ms Mostyn, the AFL’s first-ever female commissioner, has a long track record of supporting progressive causes.
She supported the Voice referendum and described herself as ‘completely uncommitted’ when it was convincingly defeated. Australia Day as ‘invasion day’ in a now-deleted social media post unearthed by Daily Mail Australia.
Kitchen Cabinet presenter Crabb (pictured) lambasted Ms Mostyn’s relative youth, arguing that her strength lay in her difference from former governor-generals who had normally risen through the ranks of law, industry or the military.
Australia’s new Governor-General called Australia Day ‘invasion day’ (pictured above), while the banner image on her
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Ms Mostyn advocated the Voice to her 22,000 followers on X before suddenly disabling her account.
Her X account’s banner image has long been a poster that reads: ‘We support the Uluru Statement’.
The 58-year-old, who will officially start the role in July 2024, also previously made statements in favor of Australia becoming a republic.
Her dedication to that cause did not prevent her from taking up the position of highest representative of the Crown in Australia.
“Sam Mostyn is an exceptional leader who represents the best of modern Australia,” Anthony Albanese said following her appointment.
“(She) has had an extensive career in corporate Australia, including working at senior levels in telecommunications and insurance companies in Australia and globally.”