Why the Governor-General’s salary will increase

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Australia’s new Governor-General Samantha Mostyn starts her role next Monday, replacing David Hurley.
Australia's new Governor-General Samantha Mostyn, in a formal portrait.

The Government has introduced legislation to increase the salary of the Governor-General from $495,000 to $709,017.

Australia’s new Governor-General Samantha Mostyn starts her role next Monday, replacing David Hurley.

Governor-General’s salary increase

A document explaining the pay rise says that in the past “a Governor-General has been the recipient of other Commonwealth entitlements” and “Ms Mostyn is not a recipient of any such entitlements”.

For example, Hurley’s salary was adjusted to account for the military pension he received.

About the Governor-General

The Governor-General represents the British monarch, Australia’s Head of State. They sign legislation passed by Parliament into law.

The Governor-General’s salary is about the same as the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court – Australia’s top court – across the Governor-General’s five-year term.

Under the legislation, Mostyn will make about $100,000 more than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who, along with other federal politicians, will receive a 3.5% pay rise from next week.

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