Terry Barnes

Australia’s activist governor-general spells trouble for the royals

Incoming Australian governor-general Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Credit: Australian Associated Press/Alamy Live News)

While the King and the Princess of Wales both battle cancer, the business of monarchy goes on. In the realms of the Commonwealth that includes ensuring the Crown is represented in each respective constitutional government. In Australia, though, the choice of candidate for governor-general is far from reassuring news for the monarchy.

Samantha ‘Sam’ Mostyn, an activist and lawyer, was named by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese as the country’s 28th governor-general. ‘Ms Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She is a businesswoman and community leader with a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors’, said Albanese. There’s no question that Mostyn is a capable and talented woman, with a high-profile corporate career spanning three decades behind her. But is she the right person the job?

Albanese has continued his subtle but calculated assaults on the standing of the monarchy in Australia

Mostyn’s values, and in particular her record of advocacy for them, are the most troubling aspect of her appointment.

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