Australia’s 28th governor-general Samantha Mostyn sworn in

In a formal ceremony at Parliament House Samantha Mostyn has been sworn in as the new Australian governor-general.

Transcript

00:00Good morning Prime Minister, beautiful Canberra day.

00:07It is lovely.

00:13Australia's Federation Guard, General Salute, present arms.

00:30I stand here now as Australia's 28th Governor General, immensely conscious of this great

00:48honour and privilege.

00:49I warmly thank the Prime Minister for inviting me to serve, and I thank His Majesty the King

00:54for appointing me.

00:56Prime Minister, everyone in the chamber, all Australians, I am ready and able to undertake

01:02the role you have entrusted in me.

01:04I will be an optimistic, modern and visible Governor General, committed to the service

01:09and contribution that all Australians expect and deserve from the holder of this office.

01:15Ahead of her time, Dame Quentin Bryce described this in 2013 as striking a balance between

01:21observing traditions and protocol and being thoroughly contemporary.

01:26I will remain alive to changing expectations and needs, whilst holding fast to the respect

01:31for the role and its place in our peaceful democracy.

01:34I believe that our democracy is the golden thread that unites Australians across this

01:39vast continent and down the generations.

01:44I am keen to begin the work of professionally and conscientiously discharging my executive

01:49and constitutional responsibilities, presiding over the meetings of Executive Council, leading

01:55and administering our honours and awards system, and when called upon, to be Australia's representative

02:00in international engagements.

02:03Most of all, Simeon and I look forward to engaging with Australians in the many places

02:08we will visit, and as long as I hold this post, I will do my utmost to reflect your

02:13hopes and aspirations, to stand with you in tough times and to celebrate your victories

02:20great and small, to listen to you, to learn from you, and, as Sir William Deane might

02:25have said, to walk with you.

02:28We can be optimistic, confident and proud as we build our extraordinary nation's future

02:33together.

02:34Thank you.