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A Republican businesswoman who once branded Australia Day 'invasion day' in controversial deleted tweets has been appointed the next Governor-General of the country.
Samantha Mostyn - whose career has spanned executive roles in the worlds of sport, the arts and gender equality, alongside business - will succeed David Hurley when she is sworn into office on July 1.
The 58-year-old, who will officially start the role in July 2024, will represent the King in Australia despite formerly making statements in favour of removing the monarchy.
The once prolific tweeter - who boasted 22,000 followers on X - wiped clean her social media accounts just prior to her appointment to the vice-regal role.
A gender and climate activist, she called Australia Day - which celebrates the first landing of the British fleet in 1788 - 'invasion day' and showed her support for the country's former leader because 'he wanted a republic'.
In 2020, Ms Mostyn wrote: 'This 26 January, NITV Sunrise Ceremony cleansing ceremonies, 80,000 yrs Australian history, wonderful panel discussing survival, truth, #invasionday & the future.'
Samantha Mostyn - whose career has spanned executive roles in the worlds of sport, the arts and gender equality, alongside business - will succeed David Hurley when she is sworn into office on July 1
A gender and climate activist, she called Australia Day - which celebrates the first landing of the British fleet in 1788 - 'invasion day'. Pictured: Sam Mostyn and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
She then included another hashtag which stated: '#AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe.'
In the same year, she described Australia's former leader Paul Keating as 'a prime minister of our country actually able to articulate his ambition for the country.
'And they were things that I really cared about. He wanted a republic, clearly.'
Australia's Governor-General is the King's representative in the commonwealth country, who performs constitutional, ceremonial and community roles in their political system.
While they act independently of the British monarch, they give royal assent to parliamentary bills, issue writs for elections and act as commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force, alongside bestowing honours.
But Ms Mostyn's aspirations for an Australia away from the monarch have been hailed by republicans within the continent, who celebrated her appointment.
It attracted praise from left-wing personalities like Peter FitzSimons, Magda Szubanski and the Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, Craig Foster.
Mr Foster described Ms Mostyn's appointment as 'an inspired choice', describing it as 'one that I'm sure Australians would make, if we had the choice. Rather than asking for the approval of a King.
The 58-year-old, who will officially start the role in July 2024, will represent the King (pictured) in Australia despite formerly making statements in favour of removing the monarchy
Australia's Governor-General is the King's representative in the commonwealth country, who performs constitutional, ceremonial and community roles in their political system. Pictured: Ms Mostyn
'In fact, Sam would be a wonderful President of the Australian Republic.'
And Mr FitzSimons, another advocate for a republic, said: 'Great choice! Very much a woman of the people.'
Ms Mostyn will become the second female governor-general, following Dame Quentin Bryce, who served between 2008 and 2014.
But the appointment was slammed by some - who saw the activist's former comments as contrary to her role.
Conservative lobby group Advance Australia told The Australian she had been paid to 'represent an institution she doesn't believe in.'
Ms Mostyn - whose career has spanned executive roles in the worlds of sport, the arts and gender equality, alongside business - will succeed David Hurley when she is sworn into office on July 1.
Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese, has been pleased to approve the appointment of Ms Samantha Mostyn, as the governor-general designate of the Commonwealth of Australia.'
The Australian government has signalled its interest in a referendum on whether the country should become a republic - even appointing an Assistant Minister for the Republic.
But in January Matt Thistlethwaite, who is supervising the push for Australia to become independent from the monarchy, admitted it's 'not a priority' - prompting him to be confronted by an ABC anchor asking why he even has the job in the first place.
Ms Mostyn will become the second female governor-general, following Dame Quentin Bryce, who served between 2008 and 2014
'It's not a priority at the moment,' Mr Thislethwaite was quoted saying. 'The priority for the government at the moment is obviously dealing with cost-of-living pressure.'
Ms Mostyn was the first woman to be appointed to the Australian Football League (AFL) Commission, the AFL's governing body, advocating for women's inclusion at every level of the game during her time with the body.
In 2021 she was awarded the Order of Australia for distinguished service to business, sustainability and to the community and was a founding supporter and chair of the women's climate action group 1 Million Women.
She is also chair of Australia's Federal Government Women's Economic Equality Taskforce, and also served on the boards of the Sydney Theatre Company and has chaired The Australian Museum.
After her role was announced, Ms Mostyn said: 'I will never underestimate or take for granted the expectations that come with high office and I am ready to serve with integrity, compassion and respect.'
The governor-general is the monarch's representative in Australia and takes on a range of constitutional and ceremonial duties, including acting as commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force, with the role lasting five years.
Ms Mostyn was a leading advocate for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which would have amended the constitution to recognise First Nations people and create a body for them to advise the government.
She hosted and participated in panels about the referendum alongside Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo.
She advocated for a Yes vote online, took part in Michael Long's 'Long Walk Oz' to Canberra promoting the Indigenous advisory panel and joined virtual yarning circles with Pat Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis.
Reconciliation Australia, a foundation focused upon healing the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, celebrated her appointment on Wednesday, revealing - in addition to the long list of qualifications touted by the PM in his statement - she also served on their board.
'Sam is a former board member of Reconciliation Australia (2007-2010) & has been a dedicated advocate for reconciliation, First Nations rights, climate change & many other causes during her career,' the organisation said.
KEY FACTS ABOUT SAMANTHA MOSTYN
She was born in 1965, growing up in an army family as the daughter of an army colonel.
She is married and has one daughter.
Mostyn holds a BA/LLB from the Australian National University.
One of Mostyn's earliest jobs was working with Michael Kirby, in the NSW Court of Appeal.
She was formerly communications advisor to the office of former Prime Minister Paul Keating.
Mostyn contributed to the development of the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility Policy and led the establishment of the Australian Football League Women (AFLW).
She is an advocate of women’s issues and supporting domestic violence survivors.
Mostyn serves as the chair of the Climate Council, where she has contributed writings on bushfires and climate change. Her Doctor of Laws was awarded in recognition of her leadership climate change work.
Mostyn is also the Deputy chair of the Diversity Council of Australia.
The Mostyn medal, for "best and fairest" women in AFL Sydney, is named after her.
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