Anthony Albanese has named Samantha Mostyn Australia’s next governor-general.
Mostyn will serve as Australia’s 28th governor-general, following in the footsteps of Quentin Bryce, being the second woman to hold the role.
The prime minister made the announcement on Wednesday morning, saying King Charles had approved the appointment.
“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,” he said.
“I extend sincere congratulations and best wishes to Ms Mostyn on her appointment.”
Mostyn has worked across a range of sectors, including government, business, advocacy and the legal sector. She has been a trailblazer for women in leadership, having been the first female AFL commissioner, from 2005 to 2016. She is credited with having sowed the seeds of the AFLW boom during her time in that role.
Early in her career, she worked as a communications advisor to Paul Keating, and for legendary Australian judge Michael Kirby in the NSW Court of Appeals.
She has worked at senior levels in telecommunications and insurance companies in Australia and globally. She has also held senior non-executive roles on boards, including Transurban and Virgin Australia, and has been chair of Citibank Australia. She currently chairs AWARE Super and Alberts Music Group and is on the board of Mirvac.
Mostyn has chaired multiple not-for-profit boards, including Beyond Blue, the Foundation of Young Australians, Australians Investing in Women, Ausfilm, and the Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety and Australian Volunteers International. She has been president of the Australian Council for International Development and president of Chief Executive Women as well as a National Mental Health Commissioner.
In 2021, Mostyn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to business, the community and women. She has been a member of the Australian Faculty of The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme for 12 years, and a senior associate in the International Programme.
The governor-general holds office at the pleasure of The King, however the term is usually understood to be five years.
She will assume the role, replacing David Hurley on July 1.
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