Why a 43 per cent pay rise has caused controversy

Australia's next governor-general Sam Mostyn will be sworn in on 1 July and will receive a salary of $709,017.

Sam Mostyn will be sworn in on July 1 as Australia's 28th governor-general. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Australia's next governor-general Sam Mostyn will be paid a salary of $709,000 after being awarded a 43 per cent pay rise compared to her predecessor David Hurley.

The background: Laws were introduced to federal parliament on Monday that will lock in Mostyn's salary.

The pay cheque is significantly higher than the $495,000 paid to Hurley, and the increase has angered the head of the republican movement.

Outoing governor-general David Hurley is paid a salary of $495,000. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

The key quote: "Aussies are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis. They'll look at the government's announcement of a 42 per cent pay rise for the next governor-general and question what they are getting for that investment." — Isaac Jeffrey, national director of the Australian Republican Movement.

What else to know: The incoming governor-general's wage will be higher because Mostyn does not receive other Commonwealth payments, such as the military pensions received by Hurley following his service in the defence force.

What happens next: Mostyn will be sworn in on 1 July as Australia's 28th governor-general.

Read more: 'False sense of security': Is a republic really dead after Labor's apparent walkback?