It’s a cost-of-living crisis so what does Albo do? Lines up a whopping $214k pay rise for the new Governor General… because the mansions and travel perks just aren’t enough

So in the midst of a cost of living crisis, what does the Albanian government do?

It calls on Parliament to approve as much as a $214,000 pay increase for new Governor General Sam Mostyn.

And that’s not even a joke.

Current GG David Hurley earns just $495,000, but Labor says that’s not good enough.

The prime minister’s assistant minister, Patrick Gorman, has tabled legislation seeking parliamentary support from the opposition and the panel to increase Mostyn’s salary from $495,000 to $709,000 when she starts the new job on Monday.

Mostyn will enjoy staying at Yarralumla, the Governor-General’s residence in Canberra, during her five-year term

The old GG’s salary was more than the ministers earn. The new one is more than the Prime Minister earns.

It doesn’t matter that Australia has been in per capita recession for five quarters in a row. Or that families are struggling with the pressure on living costs and that the budget is expected to reduce debts even further in the coming years.

And contrary to the law of gravity, when it comes to political rights, what goes up doesn’t come back down. This high salary, if enacted into law, will become the minimum benchmark for what future GGs earn. Even as former judges and generals return with their Commonwealth pensions.

In any case, I am offended by the political stupidity of the Albanian government in wanting to do this now.

It makes Tony Abbott’s knighting of Prince Philip look like a masterstroke. At least he didn’t do it during a cost-of-living crisis, and the role came with no salary.

What is the possible logic of giving such a huge raise to a ceremonial position like that of the GG?

Because most former GGs benefited from Commonwealth super schemes and Mostyn did not, Labor believes it is only fair that she gets a pay rise.

But wait, there are some problems with this.

Mostyn also gets to relax at Admiralty House – the Governor General’s Sydney residence – and admire the harbor views during her five-year term in office

For a start, it speaks to Labour’s ethos. Is the job not good enough for the existing salary? A $214,000 pay increase – or 43 percent – ​​passes the political sniff test? Serious.

There’s a reason why former judges and military personnel get Commonwealth pensions. Because they were actually judges and military officers. Mostyn doesn’t, so why compensate her for something she didn’t do?

What’s next: appoint a former bank CEO as GG, but pay him $10 million a year as compensation for leaving his high-paying banking business?

It’s mind-numbingly crazy.

It also forgets that Australians who spend a lifetime in the military, for example, earn much lower wages as civil servants of their country. That is one of the reasons why they enjoy generous pension benefits.

Mostyn has worked in private practice her entire career and earned the higher wages and bonuses that come with it.

Just a few years ago, she was named Australia’s most influential corporate director – positions that come with big rewards thanks to the even higher salaries earned to qualify for senior board positions.

Therefore, she does not yet receive Commonwealth entitlement. Which, by the way, will change after her term as GG, I think.

That’s also before you consider all the other benefits of the role. The travelling, the houses on Sydney’s waterfront and in the heart of Canberra with vast grounds.

To think that Mostyn also needs a $214,000 increase in the salary she will earn is insane.

All for a ceremonial appointment that Anthony Albanese made as captain. Albo and Mostyn have been working closely together for years to defend like-minded causes.

There’s a reason why former judges and military personnel get Commonwealth pensions. Because they were actually judges and military officers. Mostyn doesn’t, so why compensate her for something she didn’t do?

This is a decision by the Labor Government. A prime minister’s decision. It is not independently determined by the pay tribunal. It is labor legislation that is submitted to Parliament by the Prime Minister’s Assistant Minister.

They own this stupidity. You can’t hide from it.

I’m thinking of talking to the boss here at Daily Mail Australia about a pay rise.

I just realized that because I haven’t served my country in uniform, I can’t top the salary I agreed to come work here for, with a Commonwealth Pension that those who have spent twenty years in the military receive.

It’s a battle.