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Newly sworn in Governor-General Sam Mostyn has announced she will champion the causes of young Australians, during her first public address since being sworn in earlier this week.
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Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, was officially sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General of Australia at a Parliament House ceremony on 1 July.
In the Senate chamber, Mostyn took the affirmation of allegiance and affirmation of office before the Chief Justice of Australia, the Honourable Stephen Gageler AC, reading and signing the oaths of allegiance and office. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mostyn then signed the proclamation, followed by the Australian national anthem and a Welcome to Country ceremony in the Members’ Hall.
“I cannot tell you just how exciting it is for me to have my first public address, my first official address, to all of you in my birthplace, Canberra,” she said during her first official address to the Australian Local Government Association 2024 National General Assembly, National Convention Centre, Canberra.
“One of my first priorities in this role is to listen to the aspirations and experiences of young people. I know that is what you do in your communities as well. They are most often mischaracterised as uninterested in our civics and institutions. They often get a very bad wrap, totally unjustifiably.
“That is why, until recently, having learned so much from young people as the chair of the Foundation for Young Australians, which I had to give up on the day I was appointed to Governor-General, I wanted to ensure that as many young people as possible were present in the Senate Chamber when I was sworn in.
“I made reference to them in the chamber on the basis that these are young people for whom entering the chamber of our Parliament was probably a first-time experience for them. It was very important to me that the chamber was full of people who were experiencing the heart of our democracy for the first time and that they felt respected and included.
“Despite having grown up amongst the huge dislocation of COVID-19 and experienced tough economic challenges and mental health stresses, young Australians teach us so much. And they are so engaged with local government.
“For our democracy to work well, we need all our citizens to know how it works, particularly at the local government level and particularly through the eyes and experiences of young people.”
In her swearing-in speech, Mostyn thanked her predecessor, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), who held the office for five years.
Mostyn is the second female in Australian history to hold the position, following the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO who served as Australia’s 25th Governor-General from 2008 to 2014.
“Care has a deep and resonant place in our Australian identity. Care is the gentle thought and the outstretched hand that Australians have always been ready to share when great challenges present themselves," Mostyn said.
“Care is the quieter, better part of ourselves. And it is that sense of care that Simeon and I will seek to depict and amplify as we take on this role.”
The Governor-General is appointed by the King on recommendation of the Prime Minister, to be the representative of Australia’s Head of State. The position holds a range of constitutional and ceremonial duties, including as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, and serves as patron to a number of charity and service organisations.
Mostyn will reportedly receive an adjusted salary of $709,017 (up from $495,000) as part of the transfer from former governor-general David Hurley, who received a military pension during office.
