Sam Mostyn announced as Australia’s next Governor-General

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement Wednesday morning, revealing that King Charles III had approved his recommendation of Sam Mostyn to the position.

Aware Super chair Sam Mostyn will be the next Attorney-General Picture: Richard Dobson

Incoming governor-general Sam Mostyn has a long history of activism that makes her appointment an “insult to mainstream Australians,” it has been claimed.

Conservative lobby group Advance made the charge just hours after her appointment was revealed Wednesday.

In previous social media posts Ms Mostyn, who has a long history of activism in the corporate sector, revealed that she had previously likened Australia Day to “invasion day”.

“Mostyn is the worst kind of corporate activist who campaigned against the majority of Australians in the divisive Voice referendum,” Advance executive director Matthew Sheahan said.

“In social media posts she has now deleted, she has argued to change the date of Australia Day, which she has also referred to as ‘Invasion Day’.”

Sam Mostyn will replace David Hurley as governor-general. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In one of the re-surfaced posts said to be from her Twitter/X account, Ms Mostyn promoted a National Indigenous Televsion “Sunrise Ceremony” and a “wonderufl panel discussing survival, truth, #invasionday & the future.”

A now-deleted tweet on Twitter in 2020 by Sam Mostyn.

In another she approvingly quoted Australian singer-songwriter Kev Carmody who called Australia’s settlement “a bloody invasion.”

Ms Mostyn’s social media accounts had all been deleted as of Wednesday morning.

A now-deleted tweet on Twitter in 2020 by Sam Mostyn.

Ms Mostyn has been no stranger to Indigenous issues and in a 2020 address to the National Press Club threw her support behind the Voice to Parliament and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The revelations came hours after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced her appointment on Twitter/X Wednesday morning, revealing that King Charles III had approved his recommendation of Ms Mostyn to the position.

At a press conference, Mr Albanese told reporters Ms Mostyn will be the second woman in history to hold the position.

“Sam Mostyn is an exceptional leader who represents the best of modern Australia,” he said.

“She has lived her life in the service of a powerful Australian principle.

“When more people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, our nation is a better place.

“This understanding has driven Sam’s tireless advocacy for gender equality, particularly in the world of business, for women’s safety and reconciliation.”

Ms Mostyn is well known in corporate circles for her advocacy for gender equity and climate issues, serving on the board of the Climate Council as well as major corporates including Mirvac and Transurban as well as the Sydney Swans.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the appointment this morning. Picture: Martin Ollman

Ms Mostyn was appointed an Officer of the order of Australia in 2021 for her “distinguished service to business, community and women.”

“I’m deeply honoured by this great privilege and look forward to representing the values, hopes and aspirations of all Australians,” she said on Wednesday.

“I will never underestimate or take for granted the expectations that come with high office, and I am ready to serve with integrity, compassion and respect.”

Ms Mostyn was also one of the elite businesspeople who scored a ticket on Mr Albanese’s jet to Canberra last year from the Business Council of Australia’s annual dinner to Labor’s Jobs and Skills Summit the next day.

The high flying corporate board member, who also describes herself as a “sustainability adviser” began her career as a solicitor a Freehills as well as Gilbert + Tobin.

She also worked as a policy adviser to former Labor senator Bob Collins when he was Paul Keating’s transportation minister.

Mr Collins would later take his own life after being charged with child sex offences.

Ms Mostyn’s appointment is a departure from recent tradition which has seen former generals Peter Cosgrove and David Hurley serve in the role, though according to biographical details provided in the announcement, she is “a daughter of an army officer.”

She will be sworn in on July 1, replacing David Hurley, who has served since 2019.

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Originally published as Sam Mostyn announced as Australia’s next Governor-General