Rita Panahi: Plum G-G gig proves Labor rewards those who push its agenda

The incoming governor-general’s huge pay packet proves Labor is a party that rewards its mates at Australians’ expense when the role should be reserved for a uniting figure who donates any salary back to the taxpayer.

You have to give Labor credit, unlike their counterparts in the Coalition they do not waste power.

Every single day in office, whether at state or federal level, they are pushing their agenda and rewarding their people.

Now, one could argue their agenda is ultimately destructive, debt-inducing and divisive but at least they’re not like lily-livered Liberals who too often forget who they are and who elected them. Labor would’ve never allowed the likes of Liberal impostor Malcolm Turnbull within their ranks let alone allow him to white-ant multiple leaders and fail up to the prime ministership. Indeed, Labor recognised Turnbull’s nature and rejected his multiple advances.

Labor is also more astute when it comes to political appointments; ensuring they reward those who share their world view or at the very least can be relied upon to be compliant.

The Turnbull government appointed Leftist activist Julie Inman Grant to the powerful position of eSafety commissioner. Labor would never give such a plum role to an ideological opponent.

Sam Mostyn has actively pushed every Leftist cause from climate change to gender issues to the race-based referendum. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office

The Albanese government has given the plummiest of plum roles, the governor-general, to an activist and former Labor staffer, Sam Mostyn, a woman who has actively pushed every Leftist cause from climate change to gender issues to the race-based referendum.

The republican Mostyn has referred to Australia Day as “invasion day” and posted the hashtag “always was always will be” Aboriginal land. And, for her services the incoming GG will be rewarded with a remuneration package that is vastly at odds with her ceremonial role of ribbon cutting and morning teas.

Mostyn’s annual salary of $709,000 will be more than 40 per cent higher than the current GG David Hurley. That annual salary doesn’t include the many perks that come with the role including two grand residences, staff, and plenty of travel in the pointy end of the plane and stays at the world’s finest hotels. The role should be reserved for a uniting figure, an elder statesman or woman, who donates any salary back to the taxpayer.

There would be a long line of eminently capable Australians who would be happy to serve as governor-general gratis. Labor has again shown they are a party that rewards their mates with sweet roles and fat salaries, all at the taxpayers’ expense.

Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist