Anthony Albanese has an unlikely ally in his bid to hike incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s salary by 40 per cent to $709,000 – Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
The Greens on Tuesday morning revealed they would vote in the Senate against the bumper package for Ms Mostyn.
Senator Larissa Waters argued that the $709,000 annual salary for a largely ceremonial role was ‘not a good look’ at a time when most Australians were struggling financially.
The Greens’ opposition meant the government had to rely on support from Dutton‘s Coalition in order to muster the numbers to pass the bill through Parliament.
Party sources Mr Dutton had given his colleagues in the Senate the go-ahead to support the bill, despite public backlash at a time of cost of living crisis.
This opens Mr Dutton up to the same criticism as Labor, which has copped intense heat over the past 24 hours for approving the bumper pay.
Ms Mostyn’s salary must be approved by the Parliament this week, given she starts as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1.
Mr Dutton has given his colleagues in the Senate the go-ahead to support the bill, in spite of public backlash over the proposal given the current cost of living crisis
Anthony Albanese ‘s bid to hike the incoming Governor-General’s salary by $214,000 will go ahead – despite the Greens vowing to vote against her pay rise in the Senate
The new salary is a 43 per cent increase on the current Governor-General David Hurley’s, with the government arguing that Mr Hurley’s salary was reduced because he already received military pensions from the Commonwealth.
They also argue it is convention for the Governor-General to earn the estimated average of the Chief Justice of the High Court’s salary during their term – which would be just over $700,000.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said: ‘Can’t believe I have to say this (in a cost-of-living crisis) but a $200k pay rise for the GG is not a good look. Until all low paid workers (mostly women!) get a 43% pay rise, the GG shouldn’t either.
‘Whilst the Greens strongly believe we should be a republic, if we must have a GG, Sam Mostyn is an inspired choice. However, we will oppose the GG payrise Bill and move amendments in the Senate for wage increases for all low paid workers.’
Mostyn’s role will be largely ceremonial, serving as the King’s representative in Australia for a five-year term. She will live rent-free in the luxury of Yarralumla in Canberra and Admiralty House on Sydney Harbour.
Mr Dutton offered Ms Mostyn well wishes when she was offered the job, and she was praised by senior members of the Coalition as a great choice for the role.
Ms Mostyn’s salary must be approved by the Parliament this week, given she starts as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1
She was a staunch Voice advocate during the referendum campaign, describing herself as ‘completely untethered’ when it was resoundingly defeated, and had also described Australia Day as ‘invasion day’ in a now-deleted social media post unearthed by Daily Mail Australia.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Ms Mostyn advocated the Voice to her 22,000 followers on X, before suddenly disabling her account.
The 58-year-old also previously made statements in favour of Australia becoming a republic.
Her commitment to that cause has not stopped her taking the job as the Crown’s highest representative in Australia.
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said the higher salary for Ms Mostyn reflected her not receiving other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors in the role.
‘The constitution prevents the governor-general’s salary from being altered during their term of office,’ he told parliament.
‘As such, it is necessary to set the next governor-general salary at a level appropriate for the duration of this term.’
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said: ‘Can’t believe I have to say this (in a cost-of-living crisis) but a $200k pay rise for the GG is not a good look. Until all low paid workers (mostly women!) get a 43% pay rise, the GG shouldn’t either’
A government spokesman added: ‘The Governor General’s salary has not been adjusted since 2019.
‘It has been a long standing convention since 1974 that the Governor General’s salary has been based on the Chief Justice of the High Court’s salary, which is set by the independent Renumeration Tribunal.
‘In cases where the Governor-General has not been the recipient of other Commonwealth entitlements – such as a military pension – the annual salary has been adjusted accordingly.
‘Ms Mostyn is not a recipient of any such entitlements.’