New governor-general’s ‘optimistic’ vow

Sam Mostyn has vowed to become an “optimistic, modern and visible” governor-general, with the business leader and advocate becoming the second woman to hold the position.

In her speech to parliament at her swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Ms Mostyn said contemporary Australia faced a number of challenges, including a rising lack of respect for women, “shrinking” opportunities for men, growing inequality and the “pernicious impact of social media”.

Speaking about gender inequality, Ms Mostyn, who was the chair the federal government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, said “too much paid and unpaid care still falls to women”.

New governor-general’s ‘optimistic’ vow

However she said views were changing, with men now encouraged to “confidently take on care roles and responsibilities with pride”.

“That’s not just good for women and men but for our economy and our entire Australian society,” she said.

“Care is at the heart of our distress at the shocking number of deaths of women through family violence and at the heart of our growing acceptance and celebration of cultural, sexual and gender diversity in all its forms.”

Despite the challenges, Ms Mostyn maintained her “tremendous optimism for Australia,” and celebrated the achievements of Indigenous Australians, the Matildas, and migrants and refugees.

“I believe these testing times call for an unstinting focus on kindness, care and respect,” she said.

“Across my career and particularly in the past decade, I have seen how care can be an uplifting force,” she added, listing the work done by volunteers, essential workers and care workers.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Mostyn would bring “dignity, compassion, hard work, and integrity” to the job.

“She grew up in a defence family here in Canberra, she’s also worked in business and sport in the not-for-profit sector,” he said.

“She’s someone who’s eminently qualified, and I think she’ll be an outstanding leader for our nation.”

Ms Mostyn was sworn in by the Chief Justice of the High Court Stephen Gagler, before the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House Milton Dick, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and senators and MPs in the Senate chamber.

Ms Mostyn’s husband, Sydney barrister Simeon Beckett, daughter Lotte and her father and sisters also witness the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute from the Federation Guard.

“Today, I miss the presence of my mother, Jenny, who, if she was still alive, she would be the proudest person here,” she said.

Ms Mostyn is the second woman after Dame Quentin Bryce to hold the position. She succeeds for Chief of Defence David Hurley.

Her lengthy resume showcased her achievements, including being the first woman in Australia to be appointed as AFL commissioner, where she championed the creation of the women’s competition.

She has also previously served in roles at Reconciliation Australia, Beyond Blue, the Australia Council for the Art and the National Mental Health Commission.

Her most recent role saw her chair the federal government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce.

But her appointment hasn’t come without its controversy.

Last week the government passed legislation to provide the Governor-General with a $709,000 annual salary – $200,000 more than her predecessor.

The reason for the $200,000 boost follows the constitutional requirement that the governor-general’s pay cannot be changed in the five-year term and is set in relation to the chief justice of the High Court’s remuneration.

The pay rise sparked outrage among the Coalition and the Greens for being out of touch during a cost of living crisis but ultimately passed through parliament without too much difficulty.