The Albanese government has come under heavy fire for its decision to grant a $709,017 salary to incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn, a 43 per cent pay increase compared to her predecessor.
Sky News contributor Joe Hildebrand has labelled the proposed 43 per cent pay rise for incoming Governor-General Samantha Mostyn as “indefensible”.
The Albanese government has proposed a $214,000 pay rise for incoming Governor-General Samantha Mostyn.
They are proposing to take the salary from $495,000 to $709,000.
“How do you defend that?” Mr Hildebrand told Sky News host Sharri Markson.
“I don’t know why Labor keeps making these kinds of decisions.
“It’s indefensible.”
Set to be sworn in on July 1 as Australia’s 28th Governor-General, Ms Mostyn will receive an annual salary of $709,017 – a 43 per cent increase from her predecessor’s $495,000.
The salary increase – more than $200,000 – has been justified by Labor on the grounds Ms Mostyn does not benefit from any military pension.
Incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn is set to receive an annual salary of $709,017. Picture: David Geraghty, The Australian.
Ms Mostyn’s predecessors David Hurley and Sir Peter Cosgrove both served in the Australian Army and received a military pension.
The rationale has failed to prevent backlash from the Australian Republic Movement as National Director Isaac Jeffrey attacked the pay rise.
“Aussies are suffering from a cost of living crisis,” Mr Jeffrey said in a statement on Monday.
“They’ll look at the government’s announcement of a 42 per cent pay rise for the next governor-general and question what they are getting for that investment.”
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman defended the pay rise in parliament on Monday and said the salary would be in line with customary practice.
The governor-general salary has historically been determined by the salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court, which has been projected at $708,017 over the next five years.
Mr Gorman said: “What the government is putting forward is no different to what previous governments have put forward.”
The Albanese government has proposed a $214,000 pay rise for incoming Governor-General Samantha Mostyn.
They are proposing to take the salary from $495,000 to $709,000.
Ms Mostyn will become Australia’s next Governor-General on July 1.
In response, Nationals MP Keith Pitt described the pay rise as “obscene and indefensible” amid the current economic challenges.
“In the middle of a Labor-induced cost of living crisis, this pay rise is obscene and indefensible,” he said.
Former governor-general Peter Cosgrove acknowledged the “hell of a jump” in pay but said the remuneration process was “almost actuarial in nature”.
“The parliament as a practice does not revisit the salary of the governor-general over the expected five years or so,” he said.
Under the current proposal, Ms Mostyn would receive only $1,000 more than the High Court Chief Justice per year.
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The newly appointed Governor-General has come under repeated scrutiny from the Coalition as she was formerly a Labor staffer and promoted the Voice to Parliament on social media.
Ms Mostyn has also previously referred to Australia Day as “Invasion Day” in since-deleted posts on Twitter, formerly X.
The governor-general has the expectation of being apolitical as the King’s representative in Australia.
Labor will need to pass legislation through parliament to set the new wage.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has still not revealed his position on the salary debate.
The pay rise news comes after the Remuneration Tribunal announced a 3.5 per cent pay increase for federal politicians earlier this month.
After July 1, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will receive a base salary of $607,490 per year and Mr Dutton will earn $478,990.