Governor General warns that civic ignorance threatens Australia's democratic stability

Governor General Sam Mostyn cautioned that Australia is facing a "growing catastrophe" as adult citizens increasingly fail to comprehend the country’s constitutional foundations, fueling criticism of her office and other institutions. Speaking on a journalist at one outlet Politics podcast, she noted that younger Australians and recent citizens retain clearer views of how government functions, unlike many older adults. Mostyn connected this knowledge gap to a surge in online vitriol and threats directed at parliamentarians, councillors and mayors, making public service less appealing.

She called for renewed civics education, emphasizing the need to understand why the 125-year-old constitution was created to unite states and territories. Earlier this month, she convened a discussion on social cohesion and civics with the Constitution Education Fund at Government House, attended by educators and policy experts. The governor general also highlighted her efforts to use social media and community visits to demystify the role of her office.