Annabel Crabb has waded into the fray over the appointment of Australia’s new Governor-General, writing a lengthy essay defending Sam Mostyn and attacking his critics.
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.
Now Crabb has responded to the “vicious allegations”, particularly to News Corporation columnists Andrew Bolt and Janet Albrechtsen.
Crabb mocked the writing ability of Albrechtsen, a columnist for The Australian, before attempting to calm his “fit of indignation”.
The appointment of Annabel Crabb (pictured) to the position of Governor-General sparked widespread criticism after deleted social media posts emerged in which she had mentioned causes of “ouch”
But now ABC star Annabel Crabb (pictured, left) has written a nearly 1,500-word piece defending Mostyn.
The ABC veteran took issue with Albrechtsen’s central argument that Mostyn did not have the business credentials for the job and only got it because she was a woman.
‘To date there have been 27 governors general of this federation. One of them, Dame Quentin Bryce, was a woman,” Crabb wrote.
“The addition of another does not, from a rational point of view, even remotely confirm an emerging new underclass of judicial and military gentlemen crushed under the ruthless Jimmy Choos of a new skirtocracy.”
Crabb later criticized Mostyn’s relative youth, arguing that his strength lay in his difference from previous Governors-General who had typically risen through the ranks of law, industry or the military.
“She is more of a sole trader than a businessman,” Crabb wrote.
“Their opinions have been theirs to share, not limited by the structural requirements that come with judicial or religious robes, or military dress.”
And he added: ‘The four institutions that depend on the governor general (courts, clergy, army and parliament) have proven to be fallible.
‘So why would we continue to consider them monopolistic suppliers of viceregal talent?’
Crabb then took a shot at Sky News presenter Bolt, who had dismissed Mostyn’s appointment as “the triumph of affirmative action over talent or achievement”.
“Ms. Mostyn has had many jobs in many organizations,” Crabb wrote.
‘There is much evidence of their values, beliefs and practices in those works.
‘There is very little evidence that she has ever behaved in a way that embarrasses or disrespects any organization she is aligned with.
“Or to use any public platform to criticize those who disagree with her or disparage her.”
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 had also described Australia Day as “invasion day” in a now-deleted social media post discovered by WhatsNew2Day Australia.
Kitchen Cabinet presenter Crabb (pictured) praised Mostyn’s relative youth, arguing that his strength lay in his difference from previous governors-general who had typically risen through the ranks of law, industry or the military.
Australia’s new Governor-General referred to Australia Day as “invasion day” (pictured above), while the poster image on her X profile was a poster saying “we support the Uluru Declaration” ( in the photo below)
WhatsNew2Day 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.”