The GG & Equality Australia

Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Government House
Canberra ACT 2600

Your Excellency,

Re: Viceregal Patronage and Advocacy Organisations

We write to respectfully raise concerns regarding the extension of viceregal patronage to Equality Australia.

In February 2025, Your Excellency granted formal patronage to Equality Australia and we are concerned about the appropriateness of viceregal patronage being extended to an organisation that actively engages in political advocacy and legislative influence.

As the representative of the King and the Crown in Australia, the Governor-General occupies a position that must always remain above political contention.

Equality Australia is an advocacy organisation that works directly with policymakers and legislators to influence the development and passage of laws. While such engagement is entirely legitimate in a democratic society, it raises questions about the neutrality of your Excellency’s office when formal patronage is extended to such a body.

Viceregal patronage is a powerful symbol. It conveys legitimacy, endorsement, and national significance. For this reason, it must be exercised with the utmost caution, particularly when the organisation in question is involved in advocacy that intersects with legislative processes and public policy.

We therefore ask Your Excellency to please reconsider and withdraw your patronage of Equality Australia. In doing so, you would reaffirm the apolitical nature of your office and uphold the longstanding principle that the Crown must remain above political and ideological contestation.

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