Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

For the information of members who might have heard that last contribution, I want to outline a few facts about what is being done in this bill—something that's been passed by parliaments on average every five years with the appointment of a new Governor-General. I note that the proposed salary has been calculated by reference to the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. That is always the starting point. Where people are in receipt of other Commonwealth streamed forms of income, such as a military pension, there has been an adjustment by the parliament in setting the figure for the five-year term. That's been consistently applied for decades.

I'd also note that this obligation is a constitutional obligation that sits upon members of parliament and has sat upon us for 123 years. It's in section 3 of the Constitution. It's an obligation that I urge all members to take seriously. I'd also note that the incoming Governor-General will only receive salary from this role, not from any military pensions. I would encourage everyone to recognise that. While some may have views about these figures, I'd be very uncomfortable breaking the longstanding convention, with reference to the Chief Justice of the High Court, that has been applied.

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. I note that the member for Canning outlined in his contribution that this is a constitutional obligation under section 3. He noted the long-standing practice of this place and the Senate in supporting the proposal that the government has put forward. Indeed, I'm sure people would have been surprised if any other proposal had been brought forward. I appreciate the sensible contribution from the coalition.

I agree with the member for Ryan that Sam Mostyn is an inspired choice. It's been broadly welcomed by the Australian community, but I am disappointed that we've seen some looking for the politics on this. Had we not proposed this, I'm sure the Greens party would have come to the alternative conclusion that, somehow, we were cutting the salary of the incoming Governor-General to a level less than that of the existing Governor-General. I'll note that, on average, we have governors-general receiving a contribution equivalent to the salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court.

In my final comments before we hopefully move on to the third reading, I, too, would like to thank the outgoing Governor-General the Hon. David Hurley AC, CVO, DSC (Rtd). Yesterday, in the Members Hall, we saw a great reflection of his contribution to this nation—an excellent portrait that shows his true love of this country—and we had so many people there who have been grateful for his service to this country. He's had a lifetime of service to the Australian people, and I want to thank him and, equally, Linda Hurley and all of their family for the contribution they make. Stepping into these roles is never easy, and I note that he did so after a 42-year military career and after service to the people of New South Wales as Governor. He presided as Governor-General at a time when we faced the challenges of government in the administration of COVID, we saw the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II and we saw the coronation of King Charles III.

I also want to place on the record in this place my thanks to the staff at Government House who support the Governor-General of the day and particularly to the official secretary, Paul Singer, who has served the Governor-General so well. I want to thank all of those members of staff at Government House who enable so much of our democracy and our public administration to happen.

I commend the bill.

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