Australia’s next governor-general will receive a pay rise when she takes office, with federal parliament voting to determine the role’s salary.
Sam Mostyn will be sworn in next Monday as Australia’s 28th Governor-General, replacing the outgoing David Hurley.
But MPs and senators will determine how much he will be paid in the top job during his five-year term, and laws were introduced on Monday that will set his pay cheque.
Mostyn will receive $709,017 for each year as governor general, compared to Hurley’s $495,000 annually.
However, Hurley also received military pensions in addition to his salary as governor general.
Incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn will take up her new role next Monday, but her salary is expected to be substantially higher than that of her predecessor.
Assistant Minister for Public Services Patrick Gorman said Ms Mostyn’s higher salary also reflected her receiving no other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors.
Assistant Minister for Public Services Patrick Gorman said Mostyn’s higher salary also reflected that he received no other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to his predecessors in office.
“The Constitution prevents the governor general’s salary from being modified during his term,” he told Parliament.
“As such, it is necessary to set the salary of the next governor general at a level appropriate for the duration of this term.”
The Governor General’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice.
Ms Mostyn was appointed by Mr Albanese in April.
Mostyn, 58, is an entrepreneur who has been appointed to a number of corporate boards for her advocacy for feminist and indigenous causes, as well as climate change initiatives.
She was criticized as a “woke” appointee by conservative critics who denounced her long history of identity politics, and sensitivity over it led to the removal of many of her previous social media posts.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Mostyn defended the Voice to his 22,000 followers on X, before suddenly deactivating his account.
Mostyn, who was the AFL’s first female commissioner, has a long history of supporting progressive causes.
She backed the Voice referendum, describing herself as “completely free” when it was soundly defeated, and also described Australia Day as “invasion day” in a now-deleted social media post discovered by Daily Mail Australia.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Mostyn defended the Voice to his 22,000 followers on X, before suddenly deactivating his account.
The main image on his X account was, for a long period of time, a sign that said: “We support the Uluru Declaration.”
The 58-year-old, who will officially take up his post in July 2024, had also previously spoken out in favor of Australia becoming a republic.
Her commitment to that cause has not prevented her from assuming 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 upon her appointment.
“(She) has had an extensive career in the Australian business community, including working at senior levels in telecommunications and insurance companies in Australia and around the world.”