Climate activists accuse Queen Mary and King Frederik of 'double standards' over historic royal ship's massive carbon emissions
Eco warriors have taken aim at Queen Mary of Denmark and her husband, King Frederik X, accusing the royal couple of hypocrisy after they boarded their historic royal ship for the start of the sailing season.
The Australian-born Queen, 53, and King Frederik, 56, launched the 2025 sailing season aboard the Royal Ship Dannebrog on Wednesday, departing from Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen to a fanfare of 27 cannon shots before arriving in Helsingør, where they were saluted by Kronborg Castle.
But while the royal appearance drew cheers from the crowd, critics say the tradition is at odds with Frederik's previously stated commitment to environmental responsibility.
The Dannebrog, built in the early 1930s, is said to emit 60 times more CO2 than the average Danish citizen does in an entire year.
The ship, which serves as an official and private residence for members of the Royal Family during summer cruises and overseas visits, is considered a national symbol and has been used by Danish monarchs for generations.
Last year, it was used by King Frederik and Queen Mary during their state visits to Sweden, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
Despite its cultural significance, critics have pointed to King Frederik's environmental messaging, especially in the wake of his recent accession to the throne.
Just three days after becoming king on January 14, 2024, Frederik released The King's Word, a book outlining his visions for the future, including his and Queen Mary's commitment to promoting a greener future.
"As the royal couple, we are concerned with being able to contribute to passing the planet on to the next generation in good condition, which requires that we promote the green transition," King Frederik wrote.
But the decision to continue using the Dannebrog has prompted backlash from activists and politicians alike.
Christina Olumeko, democracy spokesperson for The Alternative party, and Jacob Sørensen, an analyst with the environmental group NOAH, criticised the King for displaying "double standards" and urged him to act as a stronger role model.
In response, the Danish Royal House issued a statement to broadcaster B.T. via its new Head of Communications, Nina Munch-Perrin.
"The Royal House is aware of the dilemma associated with Dannebrog being powered by conventional fuel," she said.
"The Defence is currently investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels with a view to reducing emissions from the Royal Ship."
Munch-Perrin added that the vessel holds a deeper significance: "It is important to emphasise that Dannebrog is a historic ship with symbolic and representative significance for Denmark.
"It is a gathering point, no matter where in the Kingdom it is located. The royal ship is in great demand."
Royal historian Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen welcomed the acknowledgement but said the Royal House should have anticipated criticism over the Dannebrog's environmental impact.
"It was only a matter of time before the climate issue had to hit the Royal House, especially when you have set the climate line you have," he said.
"So it's surprising that you haven't thought about it before."
Olden-Jørgensen noted the complexity of modernising such a storied vessel while maintaining tradition.
"Nina Munch-Perrin gives a defensive answer, which basically means that they haven't really thought about how to make the ship more climate-friendly, but that they want to do it now," he said.
"But she also indicates that there are no easy solutions, and that's probably right if you want to preserve the Royal Ship in its current design, and it's probably also insanely expensive to completely redesign it."
The criticism comes as the Danish royal family relocated from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen to their preferred summer home, Fredensborg Palace on Zealand Island.
The king and queen, along with three of their four children, Princess Isabella, 18, and 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, were seen arriving at their new royal residence on Monday.
Their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, who is 19, will join the rest of the family later this summer after he completes his mandatory military service in Slagelse.
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The people behind the Aussie good life
Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort. Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. 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Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort. Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort.
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'Take it up with God': preacher sued for anti-Semitism
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"I like to call Islam a divine ideology and I'm going to give reference from that," he told AAP ahead of his Federal Court hearing on Tuesday. "If people have an issue with the reference that I'm bringing, that I wholeheartedly know and believe is from God, then they should take this up with God, not me." The Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric has been accused of racial discrimination in more than 110 pages of court documents that detail inflammatory remarks in sermons posted on social media. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot are seeking injunctions requiring the removal of the allegedly racist speeches and prohibiting Mr Haddad from making similar comments in future. The pair, who are not seeking compensation or damages, hope the case will serve as "a warning to deter others seeking to mobilise racism in order to promote their political views". Among the speeches detailed in their statement of claim, Mr Haddad blames the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." He also claimed divisions among Muslim communities were because of Jewish people. Mr Haddad said most of the speeches identified had been taken down because he "didn't want the headache", while the complaint was being mediated at the Australian Human Rights Commission. But he said he refused to comply with other demands from the council including reading a pre-written apology at a synagogue and attending an anti-racism workshop, and this had prompted the Federal Court lawsuit. The council was contacted to verify Mr Haddad's claims but it declined to comment instead referring to a statement when it launched the lawsuit which seeks "to defend the honour of the community." ECAJ is a prominent group representing the Jewish community that has received more than $55 million in funding from the federal government in the past two years in light of anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues and schools. The council's co-CEO Alex Ryvchin's former home was the target of an arson and graffiti attack in January. Mr Haddad has courted controversy for being friends with former Australian members who joined terrorist group the Islamic State and posted gruesome videos of their atrocities, including beheadings. He defended his relationship with Khaled Sharrouf, an Australian ISIS member who was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Syria, because he was fighting other combatants in a bloody civil war. The preacher, also known as Abu Ousayd, maintains religious and political contexts are needed to situate his sermons, including the war on Gaza. "If you really look into it, our talks were never aimed at any Jews in Australia, rather we were speaking about the Jewish state of Israel," he said. Mr Haddad maintains he wears his emotions on his sleeve and that he has not breached any laws. "This is a test, not for me, this is a test for democracy itself." Wissam Haddad's fiery sermons have racked up thousands of views online but are now being scrutinised in a lawsuit brought by a Jewish group alleging anti-Semitism. The Islamist preacher maintains all his words are backed up by scriptures from the Koran and other Islamic texts. "I like to call Islam a divine ideology and I'm going to give reference from that," he told AAP ahead of his Federal Court hearing on Tuesday. "If people have an issue with the reference that I'm bringing, that I wholeheartedly know and believe is from God, then they should take this up with God, not me." The Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric has been accused of racial discrimination in more than 110 pages of court documents that detail inflammatory remarks in sermons posted on social media. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot are seeking injunctions requiring the removal of the allegedly racist speeches and prohibiting Mr Haddad from making similar comments in future. The pair, who are not seeking compensation or damages, hope the case will serve as "a warning to deter others seeking to mobilise racism in order to promote their political views". Among the speeches detailed in their statement of claim, Mr Haddad blames the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." He also claimed divisions among Muslim communities were because of Jewish people. Mr Haddad said most of the speeches identified had been taken down because he "didn't want the headache", while the complaint was being mediated at the Australian Human Rights Commission. But he said he refused to comply with other demands from the council including reading a pre-written apology at a synagogue and attending an anti-racism workshop, and this had prompted the Federal Court lawsuit. The council was contacted to verify Mr Haddad's claims but it declined to comment instead referring to a statement when it launched the lawsuit which seeks "to defend the honour of the community." ECAJ is a prominent group representing the Jewish community that has received more than $55 million in funding from the federal government in the past two years in light of anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues and schools. The council's co-CEO Alex Ryvchin's former home was the target of an arson and graffiti attack in January. Mr Haddad has courted controversy for being friends with former Australian members who joined terrorist group the Islamic State and posted gruesome videos of their atrocities, including beheadings. He defended his relationship with Khaled Sharrouf, an Australian ISIS member who was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Syria, because he was fighting other combatants in a bloody civil war. The preacher, also known as Abu Ousayd, maintains religious and political contexts are needed to situate his sermons, including the war on Gaza. "If you really look into it, our talks were never aimed at any Jews in Australia, rather we were speaking about the Jewish state of Israel," he said. Mr Haddad maintains he wears his emotions on his sleeve and that he has not breached any laws. "This is a test, not for me, this is a test for democracy itself." Wissam Haddad's fiery sermons have racked up thousands of views online but are now being scrutinised in a lawsuit brought by a Jewish group alleging anti-Semitism. The Islamist preacher maintains all his words are backed up by scriptures from the Koran and other Islamic texts. "I like to call Islam a divine ideology and I'm going to give reference from that," he told AAP ahead of his Federal Court hearing on Tuesday. "If people have an issue with the reference that I'm bringing, that I wholeheartedly know and believe is from God, then they should take this up with God, not me." The Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric has been accused of racial discrimination in more than 110 pages of court documents that detail inflammatory remarks in sermons posted on social media. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot are seeking injunctions requiring the removal of the allegedly racist speeches and prohibiting Mr Haddad from making similar comments in future. The pair, who are not seeking compensation or damages, hope the case will serve as "a warning to deter others seeking to mobilise racism in order to promote their political views". Among the speeches detailed in their statement of claim, Mr Haddad blames the roots of "the enmity that we see today" on "none other than the Jews... because their forefathers had shown the same enmity to the Prophet (Mohammed)." He also claimed divisions among Muslim communities were because of Jewish people. Mr Haddad said most of the speeches identified had been taken down because he "didn't want the headache", while the complaint was being mediated at the Australian Human Rights Commission. But he said he refused to comply with other demands from the council including reading a pre-written apology at a synagogue and attending an anti-racism workshop, and this had prompted the Federal Court lawsuit. The council was contacted to verify Mr Haddad's claims but it declined to comment instead referring to a statement when it launched the lawsuit which seeks "to defend the honour of the community." ECAJ is a prominent group representing the Jewish community that has received more than $55 million in funding from the federal government in the past two years in light of anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues and schools. The council's co-CEO Alex Ryvchin's former home was the target of an arson and graffiti attack in January. Mr Haddad has courted controversy for being friends with former Australian members who joined terrorist group the Islamic State and posted gruesome videos of their atrocities, including beheadings. He defended his relationship with Khaled Sharrouf, an Australian ISIS member who was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Syria, because he was fighting other combatants in a bloody civil war. The preacher, also known as Abu Ousayd, maintains religious and political contexts are needed to situate his sermons, including the war on Gaza. "If you really look into it, our talks were never aimed at any Jews in Australia, rather we were speaking about the Jewish state of Israel," he said. Mr Haddad maintains he wears his emotions on his sleeve and that he has not breached any laws. "This is a test, not for me, this is a test for democracy itself."
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Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honourees exemplified selfless service and integrity. "I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50 year history of our Australian honours system," she said. "Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve." Broadcaster and journalist Phillip Adams was also appointed as an AC, as well as author JM Coetzee and businesswoman Jennifer Westacott. Former Olympic swimmer Nicole Livingstone was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia, along with former NSW deputy police commissioner and royal commissioner into veteran suicide Nick Kaldas. Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he is "honoured and grateful" to have been appointed to Australia's highest civilian honour. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King's Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin. "I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia," he said in a statement. "It was an immense privilege to be given the opportunity by the Australian people to serve them as their 30th Prime Minister of Australia. "During this time Australia faced challenges and threats not experienced since the Second World War. "Australians responded to these events in the best traditions of Australian patriotism and mateship with trademark courage and a care for their country and one another." Mr Morrison led the country from 2018 to 2022, but his prime ministership was defined by several controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as taking a holiday in Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires. It also emerged after his stint in office he had secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions during the pandemic. Mr Morrison said he was inspired during his time in office by the ability of Australians to respond to challenging scenarios. "As prime minister it was these innate qualities of Australians that I and my government relied upon to lead Australia through these myriad crises and keep Australians together," he said. Every former prime minister has been appointed an AC in the honours list since their inception in 1975, with the exception of Paul Keating, who turned it down. The 2025 King's Birthday Honours recognise 830 people, an increase of more than 30 per cent from the Australia Day Honours. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honourees exemplified selfless service and integrity. "I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50 year history of our Australian honours system," she said. "Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve." Broadcaster and journalist Phillip Adams was also appointed as an AC, as well as author JM Coetzee and businesswoman Jennifer Westacott. Former Olympic swimmer Nicole Livingstone was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia, along with former NSW deputy police commissioner and royal commissioner into veteran suicide Nick Kaldas. Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he is "honoured and grateful" to have been appointed to Australia's highest civilian honour. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King's Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin. "I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia," he said in a statement. "It was an immense privilege to be given the opportunity by the Australian people to serve them as their 30th Prime Minister of Australia. "During this time Australia faced challenges and threats not experienced since the Second World War. "Australians responded to these events in the best traditions of Australian patriotism and mateship with trademark courage and a care for their country and one another." Mr Morrison led the country from 2018 to 2022, but his prime ministership was defined by several controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as taking a holiday in Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires. It also emerged after his stint in office he had secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions during the pandemic. Mr Morrison said he was inspired during his time in office by the ability of Australians to respond to challenging scenarios. "As prime minister it was these innate qualities of Australians that I and my government relied upon to lead Australia through these myriad crises and keep Australians together," he said. Every former prime minister has been appointed an AC in the honours list since their inception in 1975, with the exception of Paul Keating, who turned it down. The 2025 King's Birthday Honours recognise 830 people, an increase of more than 30 per cent from the Australia Day Honours. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honourees exemplified selfless service and integrity. "I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50 year history of our Australian honours system," she said. "Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve." Broadcaster and journalist Phillip Adams was also appointed as an AC, as well as author JM Coetzee and businesswoman Jennifer Westacott. Former Olympic swimmer Nicole Livingstone was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia, along with former NSW deputy police commissioner and royal commissioner into veteran suicide Nick Kaldas. Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he is "honoured and grateful" to have been appointed to Australia's highest civilian honour. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King's Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin. "I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia," he said in a statement. "It was an immense privilege to be given the opportunity by the Australian people to serve them as their 30th Prime Minister of Australia. "During this time Australia faced challenges and threats not experienced since the Second World War. "Australians responded to these events in the best traditions of Australian patriotism and mateship with trademark courage and a care for their country and one another." Mr Morrison led the country from 2018 to 2022, but his prime ministership was defined by several controversies, including his handling of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as taking a holiday in Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires. It also emerged after his stint in office he had secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions during the pandemic. Mr Morrison said he was inspired during his time in office by the ability of Australians to respond to challenging scenarios. "As prime minister it was these innate qualities of Australians that I and my government relied upon to lead Australia through these myriad crises and keep Australians together," he said. Every former prime minister has been appointed an AC in the honours list since their inception in 1975, with the exception of Paul Keating, who turned it down. The 2025 King's Birthday Honours recognise 830 people, an increase of more than 30 per cent from the Australia Day Honours. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honourees exemplified selfless service and integrity. "I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50 year history of our Australian honours system," she said. "Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve." Broadcaster and journalist Phillip Adams was also appointed as an AC, as well as author JM Coetzee and businesswoman Jennifer Westacott. Former Olympic swimmer Nicole Livingstone was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia, along with former NSW deputy police commissioner and royal commissioner into veteran suicide Nick Kaldas.
