MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Australia eliminates knights and dames under the country's honours system
Australia will no longer appoint knights and dames under its honours system, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced, arguing that the titles were “not appropriate” in modern Australia, and that Queen Elizabeth had accepted the cabinet's recommendation to drop them. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesIf anyone was left in doubt about Abbot's political judgement, his 'captains pick' pretty much erased such doubts. Even John Howard was scratching his head.
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 01:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It's no surprise Turnbull overturned Abbot's decision, but thank Christ he did it anyway.
Prince Phillip richly deserved his Aussie knighthood. Aussies have got a great sense of humour and the old Duke has provided constant non PC entertainment to us all over the years.
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 04:26 pm - Link - Report abuse -1Anyone who has visited the back streets of Delhi will attest that Indians are fine electricians,
This is my favourite -“If it doesn't fart or eat hay then she isn't interested”
- speaking about his daughter, Princess Anne.
Enjoy… http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-philip/9883276/Duke-of-Edinburghs-best-gaffes.html
Shame the Aussies have abandon these awards.
@1 heisenbergcontext
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 04:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well enough people in Australia must've agreed with Abbot at the time as they voted for him.
Regarding the honours system, it's up to Australia as to how and who they honour, but it is narrow minded just to say 'only' Australians should be eligible. Plenty of people, who are not Australian, contribute to Australian society who may deserve a commendation or award of some kind.
Many of these Republicans forget that HRH Prince Phillip is a war veteran, and supports many organisations and charities, including Australian ones. He doesn't have to do that, but he does. So recognising his achievements shouldn't be something that is criticised, but celebrated.
It's obvious from history, and some of the backlash that is currently happening, that there is a significant proportion of the Australian population that don't agree with the decision. Whether this will be felt in votes in future is yet to be seen.
But looking at Australia's more recent history they've been scrapping and reintroducing these honours depending on which party is in power. Perhaps they should just have a referendum and let the actual people of Australia decide how to honour people, whether they want to continue with the traditional system or invent a system just for Australia.
But these politicians playing 'ping-pong' with the system doesn't achieve anything but to divide the country.
There's nothing inherently wrong with officially honouring people for service to society.
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 07:01 pm - Link - Report abuse -1What would better replace recognition by a system with a legacy of honouring notable figures?
All I know is, some one somewhere should be rewarded if they do good,
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 08:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0honouring members of the public for service to society gives them pride,
its a shame then that the rich millionaires as such always seem to walk of with the countries riches,
and the poor joe public get sweet F A .
so they say...
Honouring Prince Philip was a catastrophic error, the only thing that bone idle layabout needs is an honest days work for once in his life, not a knighthood! But edging closer to adding yet another boring republic to the world would be a very sad move for Australia. They have a unique culture and heritage, throwing it all in the bin and becoming the republic of Australia, I think would be quite a sad day for them.
Nov 03rd, 2015 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@3 LEPRecon
Nov 04th, 2015 - 12:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0Abbot didn't mention anything about the honour's system during the last election campaign - he didn't even mention it to his own cabinet! The general consensus in Canberra - and everywhere else was: WTF? Prince Phillip really needs an Aussie Knighthood? Since Hawke changed the system nearly 30 years ago, I can't remember a single campaign by any political party to reinstall it.
...and since Malcolm Turnbull is now the most popular politician in the nation I really don't see how this decision is going to translate into votes against his government. In any case who else are dyed- in- the wool monarchists going to vote for? This is going to be the status quo for the foreseeable future and trying to change it again would be electoral poison for whichever politician that suggested reintroducing it.
@6 Britworker
Might be sad and boring for you. Wouldn't be for me. We do indeed have a unique culture and heritage, becoming a republic wouldn't be throwing it away though, It would be one way of actually acknowledging, and celebrating it.
@7 Heisenbergcontext
Nov 04th, 2015 - 07:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0I never said that Prince Phillip needed an Australian Knighthood, no one 'needs' a Knighthood, but sometimes a country wants to honour individuals in recognition for things they has done for the country. The way that this appears to me, in the way it has been reported (not just on this site) is that the biggest gripe is that he's not Australian! Well if he was Australian would he have deserved recognition? Perhaps? Perhaps not?
But as I said instead of playing ping-pong with the Australian honours system why don't you just hold a referendum. Does Australia keep the traditional system, scrap it all together, or develop a completely new system?
Seems fair and democratic to me, and is less likely to divide Australia, as this apparently is doing.
I also never said it 'would' affect Turnbull's votes, I said it 'might' affect them in future, and just because he is currently the 'most' popular, doesn't necessarily mean he'll stay the 'most' popular. After all he's a politician, and eventually he'll have to make a decision that people won't like. Whether it be on the economy, or some foreign policy matter. Eventually, like all politicians, his popularity will wane in favour of someone new.
As to republicanism, I've always been skeptical about it, but if that is what the majority of people in Australia want, then that is up to them. But to me, the thought of having a partisan Head of State, that would immediately marginalise large parts of the electorate and push forwards 'their' politics (regardless of what party they represent), is divisive and flawed. I personally think that a non-partisan Head of State, who doesn't get involved in politics; so can therefore be looked to by people of all spectrums on the political scale, is a constant in everyone's lives, has huge experience and can give advice to those politicians who are in power; is an invaluable asset for the nation.
But everyone has the right to their own opinions.
@8 LEPRecon
Nov 04th, 2015 - 08:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0I never said I believed you thought Prince Phillip needed a knighthood - I'm just telling you what the general consensus was. Pretty relevant I thought.
It wasn't a 'country' wanting to honour Prince Phillip - it was Abbot's decision alone. He didn't consult cabinet, he simply presented it as a fait acomplait. And no, if he was an Aussie, based on his accomplishments in service to the nation of Australia, no way would he have been knighted.
Rest assured: this decision will have no negative effect on either Turnbull's popularity - it has made him even more popular - or his electoral prospects, which will depend on other things. If we are divided, it's the first I've heard about it. In any case, I can guarantee you, 100%, that there will no referendum on the subject.
Changing our honour's system after 30 years and then changing it back after one year, to more accurately reflect public opinion, doesn't fit my definition of 'ping-pong', so much as simple common sense. Abbot's decision was controversial and divisive, Turnbull's has been greeted with overwhelming relief.
We could do with getting rid of these meaningless titles in the UK.
Nov 04th, 2015 - 02:40 pm - Link - Report abuse +1When knighthoods were introduced centuries ago, you had to get on your horse and charge at the enemy. Now you can get one for services to dressmaking !
Well, to be fair, dressmakers do have to deal with sharp objects that can actually draw blood!
Nov 05th, 2015 - 02:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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