Anthony Albanese has an unlikely ally in his bid to boost new Governor General Sam Mostyn’s salary by $214,000: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
The Greens announced on Tuesday morning that they would vote against the bumper package for Ms Mostyn in the Senate.
Senator Larissa Waters argued that Ms Mostyn’s new salary package, worth $709,000, “didn’t look good”.
That instead forced the prime minister into the awkward position of relying on Dutton’s coalition to muster the numbers to pass the bill approving the wage increase through Parliament.
Party sources Mr Dutton had given his Senate colleagues the green light to support the bill despite public backlash against the proposal given the current cost of living crisis.
This exposes Mr Dutton to the same scrutiny as Labor, which has endured intense heat over the past 24 hours.
Ms Mostyn’s salary must be approved by Parliament this week as she starts as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1.
Mr Dutton has given his Senate colleagues the green light to support the bill, despite public backlash against the proposal given the current cost of living crisis.
Anthony Albanese’s bid to boost the new governor general’s salary by $214,000 continues – despite Senate Greens vowing to vote against her pay rise
The new salary is a 43 percent increase over current Governor-General David Hurley, with the government claiming Mr Hurley’s salary has been reduced because he was already receiving Commonwealth military pensions.
They also claim that it is common for the Governor General to earn the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during his term of office, 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 is not a good prospect. Until all low-wage workers (mainly women!) get a 43% raise, neither should the GG.
‘While the Greens strongly believe we should be a republic, Sam Mostyn is an inspired choice if we must have a GG. However, we will oppose the GG wage increase bill and submit amendments in the Senate for wage increases for all low-wage workers.”
Mostyn’s role will be largely ceremonial and will be the King’s representative in Australia for a five-year term. She will be based in the luxury of Yarralumla in Canberra and Admiralty House on Sydney Harbour.
Mr Dutton extended his best wishes to Ms Mostyn when she was offered the job, and senior members of the coalition called her an excellent choice for the role.
Ms Mostyn’s salary must be approved by Parliament this week as she starts as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on July 1
She was a staunch supporter of Voice during the referendum campaign and described herself as “completely uncommitted” when it was convincingly 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 has also previously made statements in favor of Australia becoming a republic.
Her commitment to that cause did not prevent her from taking up the position of highest representative of the Crown in Australia.
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said the higher salary for Ms Mostyn reflected that she did not receive any other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors in the role.
“The constitution prevents the governor general’s salary from being changed during his term of office,” he told parliament.
“As such, it is necessary to set the Governor General’s next salary at a level commensurate with the length 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 is not a good prospect. Until all low-paid workers (mainly women!) get a 43% pay increase, neither should the GG.”
A government spokesperson added: “The Governor-General’s salary has not been adjusted since 2019.
“It has been a long-standing agreement since 1974 that the Governor-General’s salary is based on the salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which is determined 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 entitled to such rights.”