Anger at new governor-general’s big ‘pay rise’
Incoming governor-general Sam Mostyn with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: AAP
Australia’s next governor-general will pocket more than $709,000 after being awarded a 43 per cent pay rise compared to her predecessor.
Sam Mostyn will be sworn in on July 1 as Australia’s 28th governor-general and will receive a salary of $709,017 for each year of her five-year term.
The pay cheque is significantly higher than the $495,000 paid each year to the outgoing head of state David Hurley – with the difference being due to him also collecting a military pension.
The huge increase has angered the head of the republican movement.
“Aussies are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis,” national director of the Australian Republican Movement Isaac Jeffrey said.
“They’ll look at the government’s announcement of a 42 per cent pay rise for the next governor-general and question what they are getting for that investment.
“It’s not a representative of the people, because the governor-general represents the King, not Aussies.”
Laws were introduced to federal Parliament on Monday to lock in Mostyn’s salary.
Her wage will be higher than Hurley’s because Mostyn does not collect Commonwealth payments, such as the military pensions he has received following his defence service.
University of Sydney constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said governors-general from military or judicial backgrounds often took a lower salary in the role because of their other payments.
“Since the time of Sir William Deane as governor-general, it has been customary for the governor-general to request that their salary be reduced by the amount of any annual Commonwealth pension they are paid,” she said.
“As the new governor-general does not have a military or judicial pension, her salary will necessarily be higher.
“Any fair comparison, therefore, should 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 High Court and is not increased for factors such as inflation during the term.
“It is usual practice for the governor-general’s remuneration to be set slightly above the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court,” a spokesman for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said.
“The salary of the governor-general is set before they take up office and, under the constitution, cannot be altered during their term of office.”
Today we added an incredible piece of art to the @ParlHouseCBR
Historic Memorials Collection.With Prime Minister @AlboMP and President, Sue Lines we unveiled the official portrait of His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd), Governor-General. pic.twitter.com/hhBYnnfUyA
— Milton Dick (@MiltonDickMP) June 24, 2024
As preparations are made for Mostyn to be sworn in, a painting was unveiled at Parliament House of the outgoing governor-general.
The official portrait, by artist Jude Rae, shows Hurley standing in a forest that had been hit by bushfires, with trees showing signs of recovery.
Hurley, who regularly toured disaster regions after bushfires, said the background of the portrait was significant.
“The background is actually far more important in this portrait, because it’s about us as a country,” he said.
“When you see it, it’s about us as a people, representing some of the difficulties we have experienced in the nation 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.
Payman might cross floor again despite party rebuke
Alleged threat to PM's family by terror accused
Joyce quits alcohol after footpath 'disgrace'
NDIS reform delays to 'burn $1 billion'
World-first laws curtailing vape sales pass parliament
Wong’s warning to breakaway Labor senator
Nuclear push would drag out energy transition: PM
