Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Sam Mostyn as Australia’s next Governor-General.
Sam Mostyn, who appeared at the Forbes Australia Women’s Summit last week, will succeed David Hurley when she is sworn in on 1 July 2024, becoming the country’s 28th Governor-General.
Mostyn’s career has spanned business, policy, indigenous affairs, gender equity, sport and the arts. She chairs the boards of Ausfilm, ANROWS, Alberts, the Climate Council, and is the former President of Chief Executive Women and Citi Australia.
She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to business, the community and women back in 2021, and was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the Australian National University. She is a lawyer by training.
The term of a Governor-General is generally understood to be five years, though that is subject to the King.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia I thank General Hurley for his service to our country and convey our deep respect for the outstanding way he discharged his duties as Governor-General,” Albanese said in a statement.
“I extend sincere congratulations and best wishes to Ms Mostyn on her appointment.”
At the Women’s Summit, Mostyn was asked whether she would consider running for the top job in the country: PM. . Why? Her extensive CV, and a peer, Wendy McCarthy AO, put her forward. But Mostyn said while it’s a nice thought, it’s not her next move.
“You have to have done the hard work of representing a community – either as a senator or local member. You could never just drop into that role, because that role is about the parliament,” she said.
“There are so many extraordinary women in parliament today on both sides of government who could be prime minister.”
