Peter Dutton damned Sam Mostyn with faint praise as Australia's next Governor-General was announced. Here's what happened when they met

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton cosied up to Australia's next Governor-General for a photograph, just weeks after he issued a noticeably flat statement about her appointment.

Businesswoman Samantha Mostyn was announced as General David Hurley's replacement as the King's representative in Australia when his term comes to an end on July 1.

Ms Mostyn's commitment to an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and past experience working with the Labor party sparked criticism from conservative lobby group Advance.

Mr Dutton offered a less than effusive statement addressing her appointment at the time, telling reporters: '(She's) somebody who's been involved in business and sport for a long period of time.

'(She) obviously is well-known to many people within the government over a long period of time.

'I wish her the very best in her appointment.'

His words were worlds away from the praise Ms Mostyn was receiving from Labor politicians, who recited the long list of board positions she's held, and her legacy of championing women's rights and climate change policy.

ABC analyst Annabel Crabb wrote: 'As commendations go, it was the least he could do. 

'Literally, the actual least.' 

Now, Mr Dutton has posed for a picture alongside Ms Mostyn ahead of her official start date, smiling in front of the Australian flag, the Indigenous flag and the Torres Strait Island flag.

'Pleased to catch up with Australian Governor-General Designate Ms Sam Mostyn AO today,' he tweeted.

'I wish her my very best in her appointment when she assumes the role in July and thank David Hurley AC DSC for his excellent service to our country.'

Ms Mostyn wiped her social media presence before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced her new role. 

Mr Albanese said: 'Ms Mostyn has had an extensive career in the Australian business community, including working at senior levels in telecommunications and insurance companies in Australia and globally. 

'She has also held senior non-executive roles on boards including Transurban, 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.

'Ms Mostyn has been a Commissioner with the Australian Football League (AFL) and a driving force behind the AFL Women's (AFLW).'

The once prolific tweeter - who boasted 22,000 followers on X - wiped clean her X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts just prior to her appointment to the vice-regal role.

But Daily Mail Australia obtained a series of posts she had made over the years, offering an insight into the politics of the woman now tasked with representing King Charles in Australia.

Ms Mostyn was a leading advocate for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, hosting and participating 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.

In a podcast interview with former prime minister Julia Gillard on December 14 last year, Ms Mostyn lamented the defeat of Mr Albanese's plan to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in the constitution.

'Frankly, after the referendum I felt completely untethered,' Ms Mostyn said.

'I thought perhaps we were a big enough nation, and there was enough understanding, to make that step. 

'There's all sorts of reasons why that hasn't happened.' 

Ms Mostyn added she 'wished [she'd] grown up in an era when we were actually told the truth.' 

Lobby group Advance hit out at the appointment after Daily Mail Australia's article, describing it as 'an insult to mainstream Australians'.

'Mostyn is the worst kind of corporate activist who campaigned against the majority of Australians in the divisive Voice referendum.

'The PM's appointment... confirms he cares more about the activists and elites than the people working hard to make this nation great.

'If Australians want to see an example of the left's march through out institutions - this is it, right in front of us.' 

Advance described the appointment as 'deeply political', and said the role should have gone to someone who was 'non-political'.