Sam Mostyn Appointed as Second Woman Governor-General in Australia

Australia has appointed Sam Mostyn as its second woman governor-general. A gender equality advocate and businesswoman, Mostyn took on this largely ceremonial role. Her appointment marks the first such decision by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government, which aims to replace the British monarch with an Australian president as head of state.

Australia has appointed Sam Mostyn as its second woman governor-general, a primarily ceremonial role representing the British monarch, who remains the nation’s head of state. This appointment is the first of its kind under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose government proposes transitioning to an Australian president as head of state.

Mostyn, a businesswoman and gender equality advocate, was sworn in as Australia’s 28th governor-general. She follows Quentin Bryce, the first woman appointed to the position in 2008. In her inaugural speech, Mostyn expressed her commitment to being an optimistic, modern, and visible governor-general.

Despite Mostyn's progressive outlook and advocacy for an Australian republic, her appointment sparked criticism due to her past activism. Critics also highlighted the substantial increase in the governor-general’s salary to AUD 709,000 annually, up from her predecessor's AUD 495,000.