By Andrew Brown in Canberra
Australia’s next governor-general is set for a pay-rise when she takes on the role, with federal parliament set to vote to determine the salary of the role.
Sam Mostyn will be sworn in next Monday as Australia’s 28th governor-general, replacing the outgoing David Hurley.
But how much she will be paid in the top job during her five-year term will be determined by MPs and senators, with laws introduced on Monday that will set out her pay check.
Ms Mostyn will be paid $709,017 for each year as governor-general, compared to $495,000 annually for Mr Hurley.
However, Mr Hurley also received military pensions on top of his salary as governor-general.
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said the higher salary for Ms Mostyn also reflected her not receiving other Commonwealth entitlements, compared to her predecessors in the role.
“The constitution prevents the governor-general’s salary from being altered during their term of office,” he told parliament.
“As such, it is necessary to set the next governor-general salary at a level appropriate for the duration of this term.”
The governor-general’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the chief justice of the High Court.
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