Sam Mostyn Warns of Growing Threat to Australian Democracy
Wanderstayfinder.com – Australia faces a “growing catastrophe” stemming from poor understanding of the country’s constitutional foundation, according to Governor general Sam Mostyn. The governor general warns of growing concerns as attacks on institutions and threats against elected officials undermine democratic participation. Two years after her appointment as King Charles’s representative in Canberra, and as she brings a modern touch to the role of vice regal, Mostyn said that knowledge of how the country’s system of government operates was in steady decline and better civics education was needed. “Where I see the most woeful lack of understanding … the basic understanding of the tenets of our democracy, is in the adult population,” Mostyn said.
Constitutional Knowledge in Decline
“It’s mostly people who attack our system, who say we shouldn’t have a governor general, or who ask the governor general to do things that are not within my powers, or criticise me for signing the bills that I must sign, because they think I should have a view that clearly I do not have as governor general. Certain things I must do under my constitutional requirements. “We’ve got a growing catastrophe, I think, in a failure to understand and engage with and feel proud of the very civic underpinnings of our democracy.” In an interview for Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, released on Friday, Mostyn said schoolchildren and newly sworn Australian citizens had the best understanding of how government and institutions worked.
The comments come as parliaments, the courts, the Australian Electoral Commission, and officeholders around the country face mounting criticism and abuse. Since the Covid pandemic, social media and online commentary has been identified as hotbed of corrosive sentiment, coinciding with rising threats against officials. “It starts with understanding why we have a constitution, how it came to be,” Mostyn said of a potential solution.
“It’s 125 years old this year. It was built in a particular way, to bring the states and territories together, in order to build a sense of unity around the country, and it sets up everything that then builds the strength of our democracy.”
Mostyn said part of the problem was an absence of “a shared set of facts”, including in online discourse. “I think this is a moment where it’s important for everyone, particularly people like me, in these offices, to keep up the project of why it matters that we show respect for each other, we learn to understand each other.
“There is a big risk that if we don’t, this is the beginning of the unraveling of social cohesion.” The former businesswoman, AFL commissioner, political adviser and community leader has prioritised civics engagement and education in the role, bringing a less formal and more down-to-earth approach to the office of governor general. When she was appointed to the role – traditionally filled by former politicians, judges and military leaders – Mostyn promised an unstinting focus on kindness, on care and on respect. Earlier this month, she hosted a roundtable on social cohesion and civics education with the Constitution Education Fund at her official residence in Canberra, Government House, attended by educators, public service leaders and thinktanks.
Former high court chief justice Robert French is the fund’s chair. Mostyn warned the types of people considering seeking political office in Australia is changing, because of sustained abuse and threats against elected representatives at all levels. She said local councillors and mayors had told her public life was becoming difficult and increasingly unappealing.
“They [have] shared with me that lack of civility in their own communities, as directed to them as elected representatives, has become very very challenging, making it very difficult to seek office. “If you know that you’re putting yourself into very dangerous traffic with people who now don’t feel the need to be respectful, who make direct threats … we’ve seen this all around the world with elected representatives at all levels. “This desire to be hateful, to attack, to not enter into good, peaceful, robust but respectful discussions on things where we might not agree, and so that’s happening certainly in local government.” Mostyn is the Crown’s representative in Australia, presides over the executive council, gives royal assent to legislation from parliament, appoints ministers and officials, dissolves parliament for elections and is the commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force.
She holds the reserve powers of the constitution, and attends and hosts hundreds of events every year, including for the Order of Australia. In the past two years, Mostyn has used a growing social media presence to educate the public about the function of the governor general, and has conducted dozens of interviews, including with local media outlets when visiting far-flung communities.
FAQ: Understanding Australia’s Governor General
What are the main powers of the Governor General?
The Governor General of Australia serves as the Crown’s representative, presiding over the executive council, giving royal assent to legislation, appointing ministers and officials, dissolving parliament for elections, and serving as commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force. The role also includes holding the reserve powers of the constitution.
Who is Sam Mostyn?
Sam Mostyn is Australia’s current Governor General, appointed as King Charles’s representative in Canberra. A former businesswoman, AFL commissioner, political adviser and community leader, she was appointed to the traditionally political role with a focus on kindness, care and respect.
What is the Constitution Education Fund?
The Constitution Education Fund is an organization focused on promoting understanding of Australia’s constitutional framework. Former high court chief justice Robert French serves as the fund’s chair, and the organization has worked with Governor General Mostyn on civics education initiatives.
Why is civics education important according to Mostyn?
Mostyn has highlighted that Australia’s 125-year-old constitution was designed to bring states and territories together and build national unity. She believes improved civics education is essential to prevent the “unraveling of social cohesion” and to help Australians understand and engage with their democratic institutions.
