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Governor-General Amendment (Salary)

Current status

This bill became law on Jun 28th, 2024.

Policy area

Government & democracy

What does this bill do?

Australia raises the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s annual salary from $495,000 to $709,017.

Why was it introduced?

Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began.’s appointment as the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. created an immediate need to set her salary before she was sworn inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General. on 1 July 2024. The bill updates the law to fix the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s pay using the usual benchmark and lets the new rate apply to the incoming officeholder, not the current one.

Broader context

Australia already fixed each Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s pay in law for the length of their term, and by convention set it against the expected salary of the High Court Chief JusticeThe judge used as the pay benchmark for the Governor-General's salary in this bill., while the Constitution barred changing David Hurley’s salary while he remained in office. When Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. was appointed to take over on 1 July 2024, parliament moved quickly to legislate a new rate before her swearing-inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General., and after Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens. the updated salary took effect for the incoming officeholder rather than the sitting Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office..

Key criticism

The main criticism was that giving the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. a 43 per cent pay rise during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. would look unfair and out of touch while low-paid workers were still struggling. That case was raised clearly by the Greens and One Nation, but it did not extend across most of parliament, which still backed the bill as a routine pay-setting measure.

Who supported it?

Anthony Albanese MP introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Liberal Party, some crossbench members; opposed by Greens, One Nation.

Introduced in House 24 June 2024
Passed House 25 June 2024
Passed Senate 26 June 2024 Aye 24 No 11
Became law 28 June 2024

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 28 June 2024

Final passage

Recorded final vote

1 counted final-passage vote was recorded.

Passage speed

4 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. Australia raises the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s annual salary from $495,000 to $709,017.

  2. The pay rise does not apply to the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. who was already in office when the law started, so it takes effect for the next officeholder instead.

  3. The change starts the day after Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens., so the new salary rules begin as soon as the law formally takes effect.

Show source excerpts
  1. Omit “$495,000”, substitute “$709,017”.
    Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Act 2024 final Act text
  2. The amendment made by this Schedule does not have effect during the continuance in office of the person holding office as Governor‑General immediately before the commencement of this Schedule.
    Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Act 2024 final Act text
  3. The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.
    Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Act 2024 final Act text

Context

Broader context for this bill

Australia already fixed each Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s pay in law for the length of their term, and by convention set it against the expected salary of the High Court Chief JusticeThe judge used as the pay benchmark for the Governor-General's salary in this bill., while the Constitution barred changing David Hurley’s salary while he remained in office. When Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. was appointed to take over on 1 July 2024, parliament moved quickly to legislate a new rate before her swearing-inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General., and after Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens. the updated salary took effect for the incoming officeholder rather than the sitting Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office..

  1. Earlier in 2024

    Prime Minister announces Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. as the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.

    The government said Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. would become Australia’s 28th Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. from 1 July 2024 after David Hurley’s announced retirement, creating a fixed deadline to settle the next officeholder’s salary.

    Hansard ↗
  2. 25 June 2024

    House passes the bill before the new term begins

    Members were told the law had to be changed before Mostyn’s swearing-inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General. because the Constitution prevents altering a Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary during their time in office.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 26 June 2024

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses agreed to the measure, completing the urgent legislative step needed to set the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary before 1 July 2024.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  4. 28 June 2024

    Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens. confirms the new salary law

    Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens. turned the bill into an ActThe legal status of the bill after it passed and received Royal Assent., and the supplied material states the new salary setting began from the day after assent rather than applying to the incumbent officeholder.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 01 July 2024

    Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. takes office under the new salary setting

    Mostyn’s term began on 1 July 2024, with the amended law operating for the incoming Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. instead of changing David Hurley’s pay during his existing term.

    Hansard ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 24 June 2024

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 24 June 2024

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 25 June 2024

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed Aye 61 No 7 25 June 2024

Recorded vote: 61 to 7.

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

House third reading agreed 25 June 2024

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 26 June 2024

The Senate received the bill from the House and read it a first time, starting the Senate stage of its passage.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 26 June 2024

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 26 June 2024

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed Aye 27 No 12 26 June 2024

Recorded vote: 27 to 12.

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate third reading agreed Aye 24 No 11 26 June 2024

Recorded vote: 24 to 11.

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 26 June 2024

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 28 June 2024

The Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. gave Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill into an Act; here, the new salary starts the day after this happens., turning the bill into an ActThe legal status of the bill after it passed and received Royal Assent..

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was that giving the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. a 43 per cent pay rise during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. would look unfair and out of touch while low-paid workers were still struggling. That case was raised clearly by the Greens and One Nation, but it did not extend across most of parliament, which still backed the bill as a routine pay-setting measure.

Criticism was real but concentrated, not broad across the parliament.

Out-of-touch pay rise during a cost-of-living crisis

Critics argued that lifting the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s salary from $495,000 to $709,017 was an unjustifiable 43 per cent increase at a time when many Australians, especially low-paid workers, were under financial pressure. They said the increase would send the wrong signal by prioritising a very highly paid office while ordinary wages remained inadequate.

Raised by The Greens and One Nation senators and MPs who opposed the bill Source ↗

Objection to the office and appointment, not just the salary

Some opposition went beyond the pay rise itself and argued that the bill was rewarding an office tied to the monarchy or an appointment they considered politicised. This was a broader constitutional and political objection rather than a technical criticism of how the bill set salary.

Raised by The Greens and Senator Malcolm Roberts of One Nation Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

25 June 2024

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Carried

Senate passed the bill

Aye 24 No 11

Passed 24 to 11. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens and One Nation.

26 June 2024

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 18 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Unknown 3 / 0
Liberal Party 2 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
One Nation 0 / 1

Earlier bill-stage votes

Carried

House cleared second reading

Aye 61 No 7

Passed 61 to 7. Support came from Labor and Nationals. Opposition came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

25 June 2024

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 47 / 0
Unknown 9 / 3
Independent 4 / 1
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
Carried

Senate cleared second reading

Aye 27 No 12

Passed 27 to 12. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens, One Nation, and UAP.

26 June 2024

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 19 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 4 / 0
Unknown 3 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
One Nation 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1

Amendments at a glance

Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

Senate

Defeated

Call for wage rises and republic

Aye 10 No 29

Defeated 10 to 29. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents.

26 June 2024

The amendment was defeated 29 to 10, so the Senate rejected the Greens' second-reading statement and moved on toward the bill's second reading.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 19
Greens 10 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 4
Unknown 0 / 3
Independent 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1

This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Lead opposing voice Opposes

Larissa Waters

Australian Greens • Senator 26 June 2024

Waters says the Greens oppose the bill and will move an amendment, arguing that a 43 per cent pay rise for the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. is indefensible during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. when low-paid workers are still underpaid.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Patrick Gorman

Australian Labor Party • MP 25 June 2024

Gorman supports the bill and says Parliament has a constitutional duty to set the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary in line with long-standing convention based on the Chief JusticeThe judge used as the pay benchmark for the Governor-General's salary in this bill.’s pay.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Opposes

Elizabeth Watson-Brown

Australian Greens • MP 25 June 2024

Watson-Brown says the Greens oppose the bill because a 43 per cent pay rise for the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. is indefensible during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. when low-paid workers are still struggling.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Katy Gallagher

Australian Labor Party • Senator 26 June 2024

Gallagher supports the bill and defends the standard salary-setting approach, saying criticism from the Greens and One Nation misrepresents a routine adjustment for the incoming Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office..

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

3 speakers · 4 contributions · 3 support

  1. Patrick Gorman ★ Gorman supports the bill and says Parliament has a constitutional duty to set the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary in line with long-standing convention based on the Chief JusticeThe judge used as the pay benchmark for the Governor-General's salary in this bill.’s pay.
    “I don't think it's appropriate for the parliament to go towards radical change, as proposed by some, when these are matters of the deepest of conventions and also a constitutional obligation upon the parliament.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Katy Gallagher ★ Gallagher supports the bill and defends the standard salary-setting approach, saying criticism from the Greens and One Nation misrepresents a routine adjustment for the incoming Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office..
    “Again, you will not see a government that has done more in two years, and will continue to do more, than this government. To then conflate that with the traditional mechanism for setting the Governor-General's wages is a complete misrepresentation. Good luck with the headlines that you will get that you're advocating for this. But, at the same time you're advocating for it, explain why you think that the incoming Governor-General deserves 43 per cent less than the current Governor-General or 43 per cent less than the Chief Justice of the High Court. It is an outrageous position. I cannot believe it's being argued in this chamber, and it should not be supported.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 26 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Jenny McAllister 2 contributions McAllister supports the bill, saying it is necessary to set the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s salary before Ms MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began.'s term begins and to do so in line with established practice.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jenny McAllister on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • Senator • 26 June 2024

    McAllister supports the bill, saying it is necessary to set the next Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s salary before Ms MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began.'s term begins and to do so in line with established practice. The bill is presented as a required administrative step under the Constitution rather than a contested policy change.

    “The Parliament must pass this Bill before the commencement of Ms Mostyn's term.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • Senator • 26 June 2024

    McAllister supports the bill and says it simply applies a longstanding convention for setting the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.'s salary. She rejects the Greens amendment as misleading and says it would stop the government meeting a constitutional obligation.

    “I make the more general point that this is a narrow bill that is drafted to achieve a narrow legislative outcome and there are other opportunities to debate the other issues raised by the Greens in their amendment. The Greens amendment will do nothing to advance the pay of working people, nothing to progress a republic and nothing to progress towards truth-telling and reconciliation but would prevent the government from undertaking a constitutional obligation. So we won't be supporting their amendment. More generally I commend bill to the Senate and thank the senators for their contributions.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

Coalition

2 speakers · 2 support

  1. Andrew Hastie Hastie says the coalition will support the bill so the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary can be set before Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. is sworn inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General., in line with the constitutional requirement and longstanding practice.
    “The coalition will provide passage for this bill to ensure that this practice can be met.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 25 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. James McGrath McGrath says the coalition will support the bill so the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office.’s salary can be set before Samantha MostynThe person appointed to be the next Governor-General, whose salary needed to be fixed before her term began. is sworn inThe ceremony that officially begins Samantha Mostyn's term as Governor-General., keeping with the longstanding practice for that office's pay.
    “It is pertinent that the Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Bill 2024 was legislated prior to Ms Mostyn's swearing in as Australia's 28th Governor-General next Monday. It's a longstanding practice that the Governor-General's salary is set slightly above the expected average annual salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court over the notional five-year term. The coalition will provide passage for this bill to ensure that this practice can be met.”

    Liberal National Party • Senator • 26 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

2 speakers · 2 oppose

  1. Larissa Waters ★ Waters says the Greens oppose the bill and will move an amendment, arguing that a 43 per cent pay rise for the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. is indefensible during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. when low-paid workers are still underpaid.
    “The Greens oppose this bill, and we are moving a second reading amendment for wage increases to low-paid workers and also for Australia to cut ties with the British monarchy, to establish truth-telling and treaties with First Nations people and to make Australia a republic. I now move that amendment, which has been circulated in my name:”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 26 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Elizabeth Watson-Brown ★ Watson-Brown says the Greens oppose the bill because a 43 per cent pay rise for the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. is indefensible during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. when low-paid workers are still struggling.
    “The Greens oppose this bill. No other worker is getting a 43 per cent pay rise in this cost-of-living crisis. In fact, wages are still flatlining and women are still underpaid. Until all women get a 43 per cent pay rise, the incoming Governor-General should not.”

    Australian Greens • MP • 25 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

One Nation

1 speaker · 1 oppose

  1. Malcolm Roberts Roberts says One Nation will oppose the bill, arguing that a 43 per cent pay rise for the Governor-GeneralAustralia's representative of the monarch; on this page, the bill sets the pay for the next person in that office. during a cost-of-living crisisThe political argument used against the bill, saying a big pay rise for the Governor-General was unfair while many people were under pressure. is an insult to ordinary Australians.
    “The Commonwealth of Australia deserves more respect than the Prime Minister has shown with this appointment and with this obscene pay rise. One Nation opposes this bill.”

    Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator • 26 June 2024

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Record

Full record

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