Anger as incoming governor-general Sam Mostyn pockets massive ...

Australia’s next governor-general will pocket more than $709,000 per year, after being awarded a 43 per cent pay rise compared to her predecessor.

Current Governor-General David Hurley receives $495,000 each year, however Sam Mostyn, who will be sworn in as Australia’s 28th governor-general on July 1, will receive a $200,000 pay rise.

The Albanese Labor Government introduced a bill to raise the salary on Monday.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The prime minister earns $607,500 year, while the opposition leader is on $432,250 following recent pay rises.

The governor-general’s salary is determined by the estimated average salary of the chief justice of the High Court and is not increased for factors such as inflation during the term.

On Tuesday, journalists Susie O’Brien and Joe Hildebrand joined Nat Barr to speak about the salary — and neither was impressed.

Journalists Susie O’Brien and Joe Hildebrand joined Nat Barr on Sunrise on Tuesday, speaking about incoming governor-general Sam Mostyn’s huge salary increase. Credit: Seven

“All of these salaries are completely out of step,” O’Brien said, referring to senior public servant and MP pay rises announced by the Independent Remuneration Tribunal last week.

“You have the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet earning a million dollars — that’s $400,000 more than the prime minister.

“So, I think the focus should not just be on what Sam Mostyn is getting but, actually, all of these top appointments — someone needs to do a review of the remuneration tribunal.”

Hildebrand lashed the move, noting it came in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s a shocking look,” he said.

“When they say it’s the remuneration tribunal, we can’t do anything about it. Well, why are you a lawmaker? The NSW Government did it to their great credit.

“This government, frankly, for its own good and for my sanity, needs to have a think about things because some of the decisions it’s been making recently are not passing the pub test.

“In fact, they wouldn’t make it into the pub. They’d be booted out onto the street.”

Mostyn’s wage is set to be a little higher than the High Court’s chief justice, a spokesperson for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said.

“It is usual practice for the governor-general’s remuneration to be set slightly above the estimated average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court,” a spokesman said.

“The salary of the governor-general is set before they take up office and, under the constitution, cannot be altered during their term of office.”

— With AAP