Anthony Albanese has been branded a “hypocrite” after footage of him criticizing a pay rise given to the Governor-General in 2003 resurfaced.
It comes after news emerged this week that current Governor-General Sam Mostyn will receive a $200,000 pay rise, taking his annual salary to $709,017.
The base salary is a massive increase from the $495,000 paid to outgoing head of state David Hurley and has angered many, especially amid the cost of living crisis.
In footage now circulating from parliament in June 2003, Mr Albanese was seen questioning a $55,000 pay rise given to the then governor-general, Michael Jeffery, as part of the Governor-General’s Amendment Bill 2003.
“The governor general will receive a salary increase of $55,000 or more than $1,000 a week,” Albanese said in parliament at the time.
Anthony Albanese has been branded a “hypocrite” after footage of him criticizing a pay rise given to the Governor-General in 2003 resurfaced.
‘There is a big contrast to the average Australian and average Australians will be concerned about a bill that increases wages by $55,000 in one fell swoop.
“Because, to the contrary, 1.7 million low-wage workers received a pay increase of $15 to $17 a week in the latest labor relations safety net wage case.”
The images circulated on social media with many pointing out the “irony” in Albanese’s attitude towards the pay rise then and now.
‘This hasn’t aged well, has it? Oh, what hypocrisy!’ one wrote.
“If it wasn’t so outrageous it would be funny,” said another.
“Hypocrisy is okay,” said one.
Legislation was introduced into federal parliament on Monday that will secure Ms Mostyn’s salary.
The incoming governor-general’s salary will be higher because Mostyn is not yet collecting Commonwealth payments, such as the military pensions Hurley received after his service in the defense forces.
The Governor General’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice and is not increased by factors such as inflation during the term of office.
It comes after news emerged this week that current Governor-General Sam Mostyn will receive a $200,000 pay rise, taking her annual salary to $709,017.
“It is standard practice for the governor-general’s remuneration to be set slightly above the estimated average salary of the chief justice,” a spokesperson for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said.
“The governor general’s salary is set before he takes office and, according to the Constitution, cannot be changed during his term.”
It comes as the Prime Minister and other federal politicians will each receive a 3.5 per cent pay rise from July 1, the Remuneration Tribunal, an independent body that sets the salaries of federal politicians and bureaucrats, announced.
The pay increase will see Albanese take home $607,471 a year, an increase from the $586,929 he earned.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton received a $25,000 pay rise and now has a salary of $432,239.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Glyn Davis, the highest-paid civil servant, will receive an additional $34,202, allowing him to earn $1,011,402 a year.
