Australia will no longer appoint knights and dames under the honours system. The title was “not appropriate” in modern Australia, and that Queen Elizabeth had accepted the cabinet’s recommendation to drop them. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Order of Australia, an honors system recognizing individuals for achievement or service to Australia. The titles were brought back by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott last year, 28 years after they were retired under the leadership of Bob Hawke’s Labor government.
In January, Abbott bestowed a title on Prince Philip, one of five that were awarded during the honors’ brief return. The move was highly unpopular — the public dubbed it a “Knightmare” and complained the award should have gone to an Australian, especially seeing as Queen Elizabeth II’s husband already holds over 70 titles.
The decision to give Prince Philip a knighthood was hugely unpopular in Australia and seen as one of the biggest blunders of Tony Abbott’s brief time in office. Now the new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who in 1999 led Australia’s unsuccessful campaign to abandon the monarchy and become a republic, has dropped knights and dames. The prime minister will have the chance to discuss the matter with the Duke of Edinburgh’s son later this month when Prince Charles comes to Australia on a royal visit.
Australia’s honours system:-
- Australia began awarding its own honours in 1975 – the awards eventually replaced the existing British honours system.
- Anyone can nominate an Australian citizen for an award for service, excellence or achievement.
- The awarding of knighthoods and damehoods was discontinued in 1976 but brought back very briefly in 1986.
- Republicans had said the honours system was an outdated remnant of colonialism.
Try it…
Australian government appoints ________________ ambassador to India – for education.
