Anthony Albanese has an unlikely ally in his bid to boost incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s salary by $214,000: opposition leader Peter Dutton.
The Greens revealed on Tuesday morning that they would vote against the extraordinary package for Mrs Mostyn in the Senate.
Senator Larissa Waters argued that Ms Mostyn’s new $709,000 pay package “didn’t look good”.
That forced the prime minister into the awkward position of relying on Dutton’s Coalition to muster the numbers needed to pass the pay rise bill through Parliament.
Dutton’s party sources had given the green light to his colleagues in the Senate to support the bill, despite public reaction to the proposal given the current cost of living crisis.
This exposes Dutton to the same scrutiny as the Labor Party, which has endured intense heat over the past 24 hours.
Ms Mostyn’s salary is due to be approved by Parliament this week, as she will begin as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1.
Dutton has given his colleagues in the Senate the go-ahead to support the bill, despite public reaction to the proposal given the current cost of living crisis.
Anthony Albanese’s attempt to increase the incoming governor-general’s salary by $214,000 will go ahead, despite the Greens vowing to vote against his pay rise in the Senate.
The new salary is a 43 per cent increase on that of current Governor-General David Hurley, and the government argues that Mr Hurley’s salary was reduced because he was already receiving Commonwealth military pensions.
They also argue that it is a convention for the Governor General to earn the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice during his term, which would be just over $700,000.
Greens senator Larissa Waters said: ‘I can’t believe I have to say this (in a cost of living crisis), but a $200,000 pay rise for the GG doesn’t seem like a good idea. Until all low-wage workers (mostly women!) get a 43% pay increase, the GG shouldn’t either.
‘Although the Greens firmly believe we should be a republic, if we are to have a GG, Sam Mostyn is an inspired choice. However, we will oppose GG’s wage increase bill and introduce amendments in the Senate to raise wages for all low-wage workers.’
Mostyn’s role will be largely ceremonial and he will act as the King’s representative in Australia for a period of five years. She will be based in the luxury of Yarralumla in Canberra and Admiralty House on Sydney Harbour.
Mr Dutton wished Ms Mostyn well when she was offered the role, and senior members of the Coalition praised her as an excellent choice for the role.
Ms Mostyn’s salary is due to be approved by Parliament this week as she begins as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1.
She was a strong supporter of Voice during the referendum campaign, describing herself as “completely free” when she was soundly defeated, and also described Australia Day as an “invasion day” in a social media post now removed and discovered by Daily Mail Australia.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Ms Mostyn recommended The Voice to her 22,000 followers on X, before suddenly disabling her account.
The 58-year-old also previously spoke 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.
Deputy Minister for Public Services Patrick Gorman said Ms Mostyn’s higher salary reflected her receiving no other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her 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.”
Greens senator Larissa Waters said: ‘I can’t believe I have to say this (in a cost of living crisis), but a $200,000 pay rise for the GG doesn’t seem like a good idea. Until all low-wage workers (mostly women!) get a 43% pay increase, the GG shouldn’t either.
A government spokesperson added: “The governor-general’s salary has not been adjusted since 2019.
‘It has been a long-standing convention since 1974 that the salary of the Governor-General is based on the salary of the Chief Justice, which is set by the independent Remuneration Tribunal.
‘Where the Governor-General has not received other Commonwealth entitlements, such as a military pension, the annual salary has been adjusted accordingly.
“Mrs Mostyn has no such right.”
