Australia’s next governor-general will expect a pay rise if she takes on the role, while the federal parliament will vote to determine the role’s salary.
Sam Mostyn will be sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General next Monday, replacing the outgoing David Hurley.
But how much she will be paid in the top job during her five-year term will be decided by MPs and senators, with laws introduced on Monday that will determine her paycheque.
Ms Mostyn is paid $709,017 for each year as governor-general, compared to $495,000 a year for Mr Hurley.
However, Mr. Hurley also received military pensions on top of his salary as Governor General.
Incoming Governor General Sam Mostyn will start her new role next Monday, but her salary is expected to be significantly higher than that of her predecessor.
Assistant Minister for Public Service Patrick Gorman said the higher salary for Ms Mostyn also reflected that she did not receive any other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said the higher salary for Ms Mostyn also reflected that she did not receive other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors in the role.
“The constitution prevents the governor general’s salary from being changed during his term of office,” he told parliament.
“As such, it is necessary to set the Governor General’s next salary at a level commensurate with the length of this term.”
The Governor General’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Ms Mostyn was appointed by Mr Albanese in April.
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.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Ms Mostyn advocated the Voice to her 22,000 followers on X before suddenly disabling her account.
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, and had also described Australia Day as “invasion day” in a now-deleted social media post unearthed by Daily Mail Australia.
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 that Australia would become 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.”