E&OE
Aunty Serena to you and to your family, thank you very much for the beautiful welcome to country and way in which you have engaged with the Governor-General over a long period of time. I want to acknowledge that today. It’s a very special day for you, for your country, but also for you individually.
Thank you very much to the Prime Minister for the very fine words. I also acknowledge Jodie Haydon.
Your Excellencies, fellow parliamentarians. I, too – as the Governor-General was gracious enough to acknowledge in her speech in the Senate Chamber before – acknowledge the amazing men and women in uniform here today who form such a big part of the Governor-General’s role. To distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, one and all.
The face of the Governor-General may change, but the role, of course, remains the same.
Today, it’s our honour and our privilege to welcome a new face to a role as old as the Australian nation.
Your Excellency, on behalf of the Coalition and the Federal Opposition, congratulations on your swearing-in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General.
To Mr Simeon Beckett, Your Excellency, again, congratulations to you.
As our new Governor-General carries out her demanding public responsibilities, there will be no one more important by her side than her loving and supporting spouse.
And we wish you well for the public responsibilities you assume by association.
Ladies and gentlemen, before I say something about our new Governor-General and her duties to come, I pay tribute to duties done.
Although they are not present today, as the Prime Minister acknowledged earlier, I do want to acknowledge and thank General the Honourable David Hurley – our 27th Governor-General –
and Mrs Hurley.
Their service has been superb.
Their duties have been carried out with decorum.
Their conduct marked by the utmost competence and compassion.
On his swearing-in, our 27th Governor-General said his aim was to ‘highlight to all Australians their inherent strengths, their concern for the common good, their humanity and decency and their desire for a ‘fair go’’.
Both he and Mrs Hurley have done exactly that – especially as Australians faced destructive bushfires, devastating floods, and the demoralisation of the pandemic.
Ladies and gentlemen, in October 1972, Sir Paul Hasluck – our 17th Governor-General – delivered a masterful lecture on the office he occupied.
It was a position he considered to be at the ‘apex’ of public life.
He detailed its various duties.
Duties as the direct representative in Australia of our Head of State – the British monarch.
Duties under our Constitution.
Duties to the functioning of Parliament, the Executive, and the courts.
Duties to the armed services.
Duties both ceremonial and community-focused.
But in his view, just as important as carrying out the commitments of the office is the conduct and character of the office holder.
He stressed that a Governor-General must be guided by ‘two dominant interests’:
One: ‘the stability of government no matter from which political party it is drawn.’
And, two: ‘regard for the total and non-partisan overall interests of the people and the nation.’
Sir Paul said that the Governor-General helps ensure ‘that those who conduct the affairs of the nation do so strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth and with due regard to the public interest.’
Friends, the position of Governor-General is one tethered by tradition, one steeped in service, and one imbued with integrity.
In Her Excellency, Sam Mostyn, we have a distinguished Australian, someone who is worthy of the distinguished office of Governor-General, someone who will serve in it with distinction – as she’s always done in her public life.
Our 28th Governor-General brings to her position many qualities:
Her judiciousness as a legal practitioner.
Her knowledge as a political policy adviser.
Her acumen as a businesswoman and senior executive.
Her leadership as a board member, chair, and most notably, as an AFL Commissioner – and her inspired observance of rugby league and rugby union as well, I might say, Your Excellency!
Her compassion as a campaigner for many causes.
But, most importantly, Her Excellency possesses a decency and humility which will see her connect with everyday Australians and dignitaries here and across the world.
Your Excellency, we have every confidence that you will not only carry out your commitments as Governor-General with honour, but that your conduct and character will be befitting the honour and history of this great office.
Our nation is grateful for your service to come.
I had the great honour of meeting Your Excellency’s father earlier and I acknowledge your late mother as well, as being heavy influences in your life and having guided you to the person you are today.
May you help unite the country through your service.
And may our sovereign, King Charles III, be well-served by you.
Congratulations, again, on behalf of the Coalition.
[ends]