Anger erupts as governor-general is awarded a 40 per cent pay rise amid cost of living crisis
Australia’s next governor-general will pocket more than $709,000 after receiving a 43 percent pay rise compared to her predecessor.
Sam Mostyn will be sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1 and will receive a salary of $709,017 for each year of her five-year term.
The salary is significantly higher than the $495,000 paid annually to outgoing head of state David Hurley.
The huge increase has angered the head of the republican movement.
“Aussies are suffering from a cost of living crisis,” said Isaac Jeffrey, national director of the Australian Republican Movement.
Incoming Governor General Sam Mostyn (pictured left next to Anthony Albanese) will earn a much higher salary than her predecessor
Australia’s next governor-general will pocket more than $709,000 after receiving a 43 percent pay rise compared to her predecessor.
“They will look at the government’s announcement of a 42 percent pay increase for the next governor-general and wonder what they get for that investment.
“It is not representative of the people because the Governor-General represents the King, not Australians.”
Bills were introduced to federal parliament on Monday that will set Ms Mostyn’s salary.
The new governor-general’s pay will be higher because Ms Mostyn has not received Commonwealth payments, such as the military pensions Mr Hurley received after serving in the defense force.
University of Sydney constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey said governors-general with a military or judicial background would often opt for a lower salary in the role because of their other payments.
“Since the time Sir William Deane was Governor-General, it has been common for the Governor-General to request that their salary be reduced by the amount of the annual Commonwealth Pension they receive,” she told AAP.
“Since the new Governor General has no military or judicial pension, her salary will necessarily be higher.
‘Any fair comparison must therefore take into account the pensions of her predecessors.’
The Governor General’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and will not increase during the term due to factors such as inflation.
“It is common practice for the Governor General’s remuneration to be set slightly above the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet said.
“The governor general’s salary is fixed before he takes office and, according to the constitution, cannot be changed during his term of office.”
As preparations are made for Ms Mostyn’s swearing-in, a painting of the outgoing Governor-General was unveiled in Parliament House.
The official portrait, by artist Jude Rae, shows Mr Hurley standing in a forest affected by bushfires, where the trees are showing signs of recovery.
Mr Hurley, who regularly traveled to disaster areas after bushfires, said the background of the portrait was telling.
“The background is actually much more important in this portrait because it’s about us as a country,” he said.
“When you look at it, it’s about us as a people, which represents some of the difficulties we’ve experienced in the country over the last five years.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Hurley’s service as governor general during the unveiling.
“This new portrait represents the culmination of a remarkable life of public service,” he said.