Sam Mostyn becomes Australia's second female governor-general

Sam Mostyn pledged at her swearing-in ceremony to be an "optimistic, modern, and visible" governor-general.

A woman with short white hair stands at a podium in the Senate chamber. Anthony Albanese is sitting to her left, while another man sits to her right and two women stand behind her

Samantha Mostyn was sworn in as Australia's 28th governor-general on Monday. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Businesswoman, gender equality advocate, and former AFL commissioner Sam Mostyn has been sworn in as Australia's 28th governor-general.

The background: Mostyn was welcomed to Parliament House on Monday with military fanfare and an Indigenous smoking ceremony, before being sworn in on the floor of the Senate by High Court chief justice Stephen Gageler.

The 59-year-old is the second woman to serve as governor-general.

The key quote: "I will be an optimistic, modern, and visible governor-general, committed to the service and contribution that all Australians expect and deserve from the holder of this office." — Sam Mostyn
What else to know: Mostyn began her professional life as a lawyer, working as an associate in the NSW Supreme Court of Appeal.

She briefly worked as a communications advisor to former prime minister Paul Keating in the 1990s before serving on the boards of companies and non-profits including Transurban and the Climate Council.

In 2005, Mostyn was appointed as the first female commissioner of the AFL and was a driving force behind establishing the code's women's league.

She has also spent time leading the Women's Economic Taskforce.

What happens next: Mostyn is expected to serve a five-year term.

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Published 1 July 2024 11:23am
Source: AAP, SBS



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