Politicians, scientists and costume designer feature in King's awards
Former prime minister Scott Morrison, the nation's most successful winner of Academy Awards and a scientist who rivals Charles Darwin for the number of animals bearing his name are among 830 Australians recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.
Morrison, who left parliament a year ago, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia – the highest honour – for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his key role in the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with Britain and the United States.
While Morrison has come under attack for several issues in the wake of his prime-ministership, including his secret assumption of duties of some of his ministers and his role in the controversial robo-debt automatic recovery of welfare payments, the honour noted his eminent service to the public and the parliament.
Morrison told this masthead the award was a rare honour and that it was 'particularly humbling'.
'I see it as a recognition beyond me, but of what Australia was able to achieve in those times … there is a global recognition of what Australia was able to avoid during COVID,' he said.
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'The other part of it is how our economy came through, that was a hallmark of our approach, it really distinguished us from many other countries. This was not an ideological struggle but a biological challenge, as many other countries in our region realised too. We saved lives and livelihoods.'
Morrison said that he was particularly pleased that the 'game-changing' AUKUS nuclear submarine deal had survived three changes of government since it was inked.
'I met with Donald Trump last year in about May, this time last year ... it came up, I didn't walk away with any concerns,' he said.
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ABC News
33 minutes ago
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Uncertainty over AUKUS
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ABC News
33 minutes ago
- ABC News
Uncertainty of AUKUS
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
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