This determination comes into force on 1 April 2025 and expires on 31 March 2026. It sets out the rate of the annuity payable to a former Governor-General.

The Remuneration Authority Act 1977 requires the Remuneration Authority (the Authority) to consider a number of criteria in determining the annuity payable to a former Governor-General. The Authority must have regard to the need to be fair both to the people whose remuneration (including annuities) is being determined and to the taxpayer.

The rate of the annuity is the same regardless of whether the former Governor-General held office for a total period of less than 2 complete years or for a total period of 2 complete years or more. If a former Governor-General held office for 2 complete years or more, the annual annuity payable is determined by multiplying the yearly rate by each complete year of the period that the Governor-General held office, up to a maximum of 5 years.

Section 9 of the Governor-General Act 2010 (the Act) provides that if a former Governor-General dies, the surviving spouse or partner is to be paid an annuity at half of the yearly rate that would have been payable if the person had not died.

Section 8(4) of the Act provides that the annuity is payable from the date that is 6 months after the date on which the person ceased to hold office as Governor-General.

The annuity recognises the contribution made to the country by a former Governor-General when that person was in the role and it also recognises the role of the former Governor-General’s spouse or partner. In addition, it takes account of the former Governor-General’s ongoing commitments after their term of office has ended.