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Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and film director Baz Luhrmann receive top gongs in King's Birthday Honours - read the full list of awards
Scott Morrison gets the highest possible accolade in the King's Birthday Honours List alongside prominent figures including filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his Academy Award-winning costume designer partner, Catherine Martin. Australia's 30th prime minister, who led the nation from 2018 until the coalition's 2022 election loss, was recognised for 'eminent service to the people and parliament of Australia, particularly as prime minister'. He famously declared 'miracles happen' when re-elected in 2019, and Sunday's news of his appointment to the Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia could come as a surprise to some people, given his low approval ratings at the time he left office. But since the establishment of the Order of Australia in 1975, every ex-prime minister has been appointed a Companion except Paul Keating, who declined because he believed the honours should be reserved for those whose community work went unrecognised. Mr Morrison's honour specifically points to his 'notable contributions to global engagement, to leadership of the national Covid-19 response, to economic initiatives, and to national security enhancements, especially through leadership of Australia's contribution to AUKUS'. He received significant support during the early days of the pandemic, with an April 2020 Newspoll revealing he had the highest satisfaction rating for any prime minister since Kevin Rudd in 2009. But by the end of his second term, he had become the most unpopular major party leader since at least 1987, according to an Australian National University study. The lead up to the 2022 election was plagued with blunders as Mr Morrison crash tackled a child, performed a ukulele rendition of April Sun in Cuba and took off a protective mask to gaze straight into welding sparks. He was also criticised for saying, 'I don't hold a hose, mate' when questioned over his decision to go on a family trip to Hawaii during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. And shortly before leaving politics, Mr Morrison stunned parliamentary colleagues when it was revealed he had secretly appointed himself to five ministerial positions during the pandemic. The King's Birthday Honours List names 581 people in the General Division of the Order of Australia, including academics, ex-sport stars, leaders and creatives. 'These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country,' Governor-General Sam Mostyn said. Fourteen people were appointed to the highest honour, AC. Luhrmann and Martin, best known for their work on films including Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and Strictly Ballroom, received the accolade for their service to the arts. Environmental scientist Mark Howden, who served as a vice chair on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was also appointed to AC alongside business leader Jennifer Westacott and NASA climate science centre co-director Graeme Stephens. Bangerang and Wiradjuri woman Geraldine Atkinson has been named an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for her work with Indigenous communities and reconciliation. THE FULL LIST KING'S BIRTHDAY 2025 HONOURS LIST AT A GLANCE * 830 Australians recognised * 581 people received awards in the general division of the Order of Australia * 14 appointed as Companions (AC) of the Order of Australia * 31 Officers (AO) of the Order of Australia * 123 Members (AM) of the Order of Australia * 413 Medals (OAM) of the Order of Australia * 36 awarded in Military Division of the Order of Australia * 149 Meritorious Awards * 64 Distinguished and Conspicuous Awards * 30 per cent more people have received a recognition when compared to the 2025 Australia Day Honours List * Women make up about 35 per cent of those recognised HIGH-PROFILE HONOUREES * Scott Morrison (AC) - former Liberal prime minister * Baz Luhrmann (AC) - filmmaker * Catherine Martin (AC) - Academy Award-winning costume designer * Mark Howden (AC) - environmental science professor * Jennifer Westacott (AC) - business figure * John Coetzee (AC) - author * Geraldine Atkinson (AO) - First Nations leader * Nicole Livingstone (AO) - former Olympic swimmer * Gita Devi Mishra (AO) - epidemiologist and women's health leader * Christine Bigby (AO) - advocate for people with disability * Nick Kaldas (AO) - Royal Commissioner into Defence and Veteran Suicide * Deborah Hutton (OAM) - TV host and magazine editor Ms Philippa Jane BROWN Mawson ACT 2607 For outstanding public service in fiscal policy leadership. Ms Bina CHANDRA ACT For outstanding public service in the delivery of property outcomes, both nationally and internationally. Ms Robin EDMONDS ACT For outstanding public service for the co-founding of the Australian Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice. Dr Bridget GILMOUR-WALSH ACT For outstanding public service in the development of new legislative regulation on vapes. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (ABORIGINAL HOSTELS LIMITED) Ms Lehetta LANE-PORTER NSW For outstanding public service for work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Kirinari Newcastle Hostel. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE) Mr Vito (Vic) MAZZONE Niddrie VIC 3042 For outstanding public service in the introduction of taxation and superannuation teaching resources into the Australian school curriculum. Mr Andrew James PFEIFFER ACT For outstanding public service for the co-founding of the Australian Public Sector Neurodiversity Community of Practice. Dr Julie QUINN ACT For outstanding public service in the management of biosecurity risks. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (SERVICES AUSTRALIA) Mrs Michelle RICKS Jerrabomberra NSW 2619 For outstanding public service in leadership and delivering complex information and communication technology solutions in the delivery of Medicare services. Ms Sarah Corinna SAMIOS Aranda ACT 2614 For outstanding public service in establishing the Administrative Review Tribunal. Ms Clare Daphne SHARP ACT For outstanding public service in leadership of the Department of Home Affairs' Legal Group. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (SERVICES AUSTRALIA) Ms Anita Lee SUMMERS QLD For outstanding public service in leadership, program delivery and management in relation to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Mr David Robert TURVEY Chifley ACT 2606 For outstanding public service in establishing the National Skills Commission and subsequently the formation of Jobs and Skills Australia. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE) Ms Kylie WRIGHT ACT For outstanding public service in the establishment of the Australia, United Kingdom and United States licence-free environment. Ms Louise Janet BARNOTT-CLEMENT NSW For outstanding public service to public education in NSW. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (NSW HEALTH) Dr Srinivas BOLISETTY Burwood NSW 2134 For outstanding public service to NSW health particularly in neonatal services. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL) Mr Maxwell Thomas EASTCOTT-LAYTON Bingara NSW 2404 For outstanding public service to local government and the Gwydir Shire. Mrs Janice ECCLESTON Mount Druitt NSW 2770 For outstanding public service to NSW public education. Mr Wayne Henry JONES Lennox Head NSW 2478 For outstanding public service to NSW Health particularly to emergency and disaster management. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (SYDNEY METRO) Mr Christopher Hugh LAWSON Leichhardt NSW 2040 For outstanding public service to public transport in NSW. Ms Belinda Joy MACKINNON Kiama NSW 2533 For outstanding public service to TAFE NSW in the delivery of education and organisational leadership. Ms Anne Catherine O'NEILL NSW For outstanding public service to NSW in the area of medical research and innovation. Mr Rafael PEDROZA Bowral NSW 2576 For outstanding service to national parks and wildlife in the Southern Highlands region of NSW. Ms Fiona TOWERS Lane Cove NSW 2066 For outstanding public service to economic regulatory reform in NSW. Mr Brett Christopher WHITWORTH NSW For outstanding public service to planning and the local government sector in NSW. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (VICTORIA POLICE) Mr Natale CUTRI For outstanding public service in leadership and advocacy for people with disability PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION (VICTORIA)) Mr Andrew Martin FENNESSY VIC For outstanding public service in modernising water infrastructure. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES, FAIRNESS AND HOUSING) Ms Rachael GREEN For outstanding public service in family violence, sexual assault, and women's safety reforms. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JOBS, SKILLS, INDUSTRY AND REGIONS) Ms Lisa (Lill) HEALY For outstanding public service in enhancing access to quality vocational training and employment. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (WAGE INSPECTORATE VICTORIA) Mr Robert John HORTLE VIC For outstanding public service in industrial relations, workplace regulation, and fair employment practices. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FAMILIES, FAIRNESS AND HOUSING) Mr Dean Micheal LEE For outstanding public service in the oversight and management of the Shrine of Remembrance. Ms Peta MCCAMMON VIC For outstanding public service in reforms in disability services and family violence prevention. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (CORRECTIONS VICTORIA (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY)) Ms Marlene Kay MORISON VIC For outstanding public service in improving outcomes for people in custody and offenders in the community. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY (VICTORIA)) Ms Lisa Jacqueline SAXTON VIC For outstanding public service in enhancing governance, integrity and reforms in the Victorian racing industry. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL (QUEENSLAND)) Mr Peter Apostolos DELIBALTAS Ormiston QLD 4160 For outstanding public service in the delivery and access to legal services for disadvantaged Queenslanders. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND HEALTH) Associate Professor Carol Mary DOUGLAS QLD For outstanding public service in palliative medicine. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL (QUEENSLAND)) Mr Nigel Alexander MILLER QLD For outstanding public service to child protection litigation in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (QUILPIE SHIRE COUNCIL) Mr Peter Allen SEE Warwick QLD 4370 For outstanding public service to infrastructure and local government in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF CUSTOMER SERVICES, OPEN DATA AND SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS) Mr Andrew John SPINA QLD For outstanding public service to innovation in digital and service delivery in Queensland. PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (SA HEALTH) Dr Paul Terence DIGNAM SA For outstanding public service in SA Health as a consultant psychiatrist. Dr Lawrence Robert PALMER SA For outstanding public service in Palliative Medicine Associate Professor Catherine Margaret SWETENHAM SA For outstanding public service in end of life care. AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE) Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrington CROZIER Detective Leading Senior Constable Kylie Andrea HEMIAK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE) Inspector Charles Francis AGIUS Inspector Andrew James BRADY Detective Chief Inspector Sotirios COURCOULOS Detective Superintendent Matthew Ross CRAFT Superintendent Shane Paul CRIBB Superintendent Paul Raymond DUNSTAN Detective Inspector Mardi Ann FORSYTH Sergeant Sean Barry MCDOWELL Detective Sergeant Craig Arthur RYAN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (VICTORIA POLICE) Superintendent Gregory James BARRAS Superintendent Sharon Maree MCCRORY Sergeant Joanna Maree PARISSIS Senior Sergeant Helmut PIMPERL Inspector Lisa Jane PRENTICE-EVANS AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE) Inspector Peter Daniel DOYLE Senior Sergeant Ewan Gordon FINDLATER Senior Sergeant Kirsty Maree GLEESON Detective Inspector Christopher Paul KNIGHT Detective Inspector David Jeffrey NIXON Sergeant David John REID Sergeant Sarah-Jane TULACZ AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE FORCE) Commander Martin HAIME Detective Senior Sergeant Gregory Alan MCDONALD Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Jeffery TULLOCK Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Ann VENN AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE) Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Lee HUGHES Assistant Commissioner Ian Edward PARROTT Superintendent Craig Stephen WALL AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (TASMANIA POLICE) Commander Stephen Maxwell BURK AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE FORCE) Commander Daniel Thomas BACON AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Andrew Anthony CAMERON Arcadia NSW 2159 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Edwin John GRAY Tenterfield NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Wayne Charles HALLIDAY Sandy Flat NSW 2372 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Steven John HAYES AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Philip Michael HURST Kurrajong Heights NSW 2758 Mr Mark LEWIS Mr John Douglas NARDI Coorabell NSW 2479 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE AND RESCUE NSW) Mr Mark David PORTER AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT)) Mr Anthony David PRIOR Bellingen NSW 2454 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Neil Edward SHEPHERD NSW Mr Andrew David SOUTHWELL Rye Park NSW 2586 Mr Andrew Graeme SWEENEY NSW Mr Stephen Robert WALKER Mildura VIC 3500 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY OF VICTORIA) Mr Colin James BROWN Warrandyte VIC 3113 Mrs Sharon Ann KENNELLY-MERRITT Macclesfield VIC 3782 Mr Peter Damien LANGRIDGE Montrose VIC 3765 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE RESCUE VICTORIA) Mr Shaun Patrick LAWLOR Lima VIC 3673 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY OF VICTORIA) Mr Anthony Carmel SCICLUNA VIC AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (FIRE RESCUE VICTORIA) Mr Andrew Paul WATERSON Newport VIC 3015 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT) Miss Paula Jane DOUGLAS QLD Mr Matthew Edmund INWOOD Mooloolaba QLD 4557 Mr Ricky Philip MAY QLD Mr Errol Leslie NOYE Turkey Beach QLD 4678 Mr Gregory Konrad TOMAN QLD AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Mr Philip Thomas BRANDRETT Bridgetown WA 6255 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mrs Simone Tracey CONKLIN WA Mr Anthony William DODD WA AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF WA) Mr Ian Ross MACGREGOR Toodyay WA 6566 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)) Assistant Commissioner Danny Steven MOSCONI Palmyra WA 6157 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE) Mr Gideon James DOUGLAS Balhannah SA 5242 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE) Mr Gregory Robert JAMES Balhannah SA 5242 Mr Gordon James SANDFORD St Agnes SA 5097 Mr John Robert WRIGHT Greenhill SA 5140 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (ACT RURAL FIRE SERVICE) Mr Robert Ian GORE ACT AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE) Mr James Joseph BROMLEY AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (BUSHFIRES NT (DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, PARKS AND WATER SECURITY)) Ms Lee Ann HUMPHRIS NT AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (NSW AMBULANCE) Ms Shireen DOYLE NSW Mr Michael Charles RICHER Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE) Mr Patrick William BROWN Ingham QLD 4850 Mr Peter Ashley HERON Ayr QLD 4807 Mr Wayne Errol KIRK Boonah QLD 4310 Mr Ian Thomas TARR QLD AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ST JOHN AMBULANCE WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Mr Shane John TOOVEY Ballajura WA 6066 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (SA AMBULANCE SERVICE) Ms Tracey BELLAMY Mount Barker SA 5251 Mr Leigh James NICOLSON Woodcroft SA 5162 AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ACT AMBULANCE SERVICE) Mrs Lisa Maree DECK ACT EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (MARINE RESCUE NSW) Commissioner Alexander Paul BARRELL NSW EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (SURF LIFE SAVING NSW) Miss Shaleigh Melinda LENNOX NSW Mr Douglas Scott LUCAS Narrabeen NSW 2101 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (MARINE RESCUE NSW) Mr Lance Hayden MILLER South Penrith NSW 2750 Mr Stephen Ivan RAYMOND Dora Creek NSW 2264 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Mr Gregory Philip STEELE Smithtown NSW 2440 Mr Ashley Dean SULLIVAN Corrimal NSW 2518 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Mr Wayne John BARNES Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340 Mr Graham Wayne GALES Bright VIC 3741 Mr Leo Harmen Eduard OP DEN BROUW Mallacoota VIC 3892 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (QUEENSLAND STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Mr Kieran Adam GALEY Bundaberg West QLD 4670 Mr Tristan Manning HARDWICK Utchee Creek QLD 4871 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Mr Lincoln George HEADING WA EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Mr Scott Michael ANDERSON Renmark SA 5341 Mr Roberto Carlo GRANDE SA EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (ACT STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE) Ms Julia Joanna ROZYCKA ACT EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (NORTHERN TERRITORY EMERGENCY SERVICE) Ms Fleur De May O'CONNOR NT AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (CORRECTIVE SERVICES NSW (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE)) Mr Matthew James BURGESS Ms Claire Louise GRUNDY Ms Melanie MUNRIGHT Mr Joseph WALKER AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (CORRECTIONS VICTORIA (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY)) Mr Gavin Roy BLAIR Mr Colin KENDALL Miss Rebecca Elizabeth WARBURTON AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (QUEENSLAND CORRECTIVE SERVICES) Ms Shannon Lesley ATKINS Mr Stuart Russell MCHAFFIE Mr Patrick David RALPH AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (G4S) Mr David Allan BRIDGES
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Scott Morrison, Baz Luhrmann given top accolades in King's Birthday Honours 2025
Former Covid prime minister Scott Morrison has been given the top King's Birthday honour of an Companion of the Order of Australia for his work Mr Morrison was given the honour in recognition of his 'eminent service' to the people and Australian parliament, noting his contributions to his 'leadership of the national Covid-19 response,' his economic initiatives and his work on national security, 'especially through leadership of Australia's contribution to AUKUS'. Reflecting on the challenges during his term as Australia's 30th prime minister from 2018 to 2022, he said Australians responded with 'trademark courage and a care for their country and one another'. He also highlighted China's increasingly aggressive defence posture during this period, during this period, which included the encroachment of Chinese jet fighters on the Taiwan Strait's median line in March 2019. 'During this time Australia faced challenges and threats not experienced since the Second World War,' he said in a statement. 'These ranged from unrelenting natural disasters and a once in a century global pandemic and the recession it caused, to coercion and intimidation designed to threaten our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, a world order that favours freedom and our strong bond with allies and partners.' His statement also paid tribute to his parliamentary colleagues, state premiers, chief territory ministers, as well as Josh Frydenberg and Michael McCormack who respectively served as treasurer and Nationals leader during his term. While at times divisive, Mr Morrison's prime ministership was marred in controversy after it was revealed he secretly awarded himself the portfolios for health, finance, home affairs, treasury, and industry, science, energy and resources. His unpopularity as prime minister also resulted in what was then the 'most serious' election loss for the Liberal Party, with the party losing six of its inner metropolitan seats to teal independents. Baz Luhrmann – Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) One of Australia's most beloved Hollywood exports, Baz Luhrmann's prodigious film and theatre career is well-documented. His repertoire spans the Oscar-winning 2001 film Moulin Rouge! the third of his highly-aclaimed Red Curtain Triology which also includes Romeo + Juliet and Strictly Ballroom. His latest major work was the 2022 film Elvis which explored Elvis Presley's relationship with his manager Colonel Tom Parker and starred Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. His partner, Catherine Martin – a famed production designer – was also award a AC. Hailing from Herons Creek, a tiny town on NSW's North Coast about 291km from Sydney, Luhrmann paid tribute to his humble beginnings, and the arts community at large. 'My personal journey from a small, rural town to the world stage would not have been possible but for those who came before having the vision to support the arts, allowing us to reflect our stories back to ourselves and participate in global culture as Australians,' he said. 'Catherine Martin and I feel this honour recognises not just us, but those who have made access to the arts possible for every Australian.' Catherine Martin – Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) Hailing from Lindfield in Sydney's upper north shore, renowned costume designer, production designer and set designer Catherine Martin is behind her husbands box-office hits. She currently holds the record for the most Academy Awards held by any Australia (four), winning both best costume design and best production design for her work on The Great Gatsby (2013), and Moulin Rouge! (2001). Speaking about her latest accolade, which sits alongside four Academy Awards, a host of Baftas and a Tony, Martin said she was humbled by her AC in eminent service to the arts, to costume, production and set design, and to fostering emerging artistic talent. 'I am so honoured to be joining the ranks of so many illustrious Australians, whom I have admired and been inspired by,' she said. 'Being recognised in your home country is especially meaningful.' Outside of film, she's held executive producer and costume and production design credits on television series Faraway Downs and The Get Down. Martin also dipped her toe into filmmaking, recently launching her collaboration with Italian fashion powerhouse Miu Miu. The project showcased the brand's Upcycled capsule collection which reworks vintage dresses from the brand. Roger Byard – Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) While South Australian forensic pathologist Roger Byard has shared his expertise on headline-grabbing events like the Bali bombings, the Boxing Day tsunami and the Snowtown murders, he says the biggest impact of his profession can happen outside the mortuary. Currently a senior specialist forensic pathologist with Forensic Science SA, a role he's held since 2006, and the Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the School of Biomedicine, Prof Byard said he wants to use the knowledge found in the mortuary into public education and health and social policy. 'To do good forensic pathology, you have to have curiosity, but I think it has to be the foundation has to be compassion, so that you can actually do something with this information,' he said. 'A lot of people in forensics will just document something. They won't actually act on it and look at prevention. 'In forensic pathology we see cases that bypass the hospital, so we've got information that's extremely useful.' His area of expertise however is in pediatrics and SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome – and determining the risk factors, and causes for the rare but tragic event which affects about 0.3 deaths per 1000 live births. Showing the link between forensic pathology and social issues, he points to his work in amending legislation to create an Australian standard for cots to prevent instances of babies suffocating. 'There was a British pathologist who called said that SIDS is in danger of becoming a diagnostic dustbin if people don't investigate the cases properly, and a lot of unsafe cots where babies were suffocating, those deaths were being called SIDS,' he said. 'People weren't realising how dangerous the cots were.' Nicole Livingstone – Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) From Olympic medallist to presenter and now senior sports administrator, Nicole Livingstone has been honoured for her 'distinguished service to sports development and administration, to the promotion of women in sport, and to community health'. The mum-of-three participated in three Olympic Games including Seoul in 1988, Barcelona 1992, and finally Atlanta 1996, competing in a total of 11 events. She holds a bronze Olympic medal for the 200m backstroke, a bronze medal for the 4 x 200m freestyle relay, and a silver medal by the 4 x 100m silver medal. After retiring from professional swimming in 1996, Livingstone segued into presenting before becoming the general manager for the Women's Football at the AFL in 2017, where she was credited with expanding the game and growing the presence of the AFLW. Speaking to Domain in 2021, Livingstone reflected on the growth of women in sport. 'There's a lot more choice for women in this country now than in the 1990s,' she said. 'But you have to remember that during the 2000 Olympic Games, Friends was knocked off air to put swimming on TV and they had 1 million people watching. It was the time before pay-TV and the nation was glued.' Under her tenure, the AFLW became the largest employers of female athletes in Australia, and expanded the teams from eight to 18. Since 2024, Livingstone has served as the chief executive of the Victorian Institute of Sport. Naguib 'Nick' Kaldas – Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) The former NSW Police Force commissioner was one of the three commissioners behind the Royal Commission in Defence and Veteran Suicide, a role he undertook with James Douglas KC and Peggy Brown. Mr Kaldas has also held roles with the United Nations, including chief of investigations with the UN's probe into the use of chemical weapons in Syria in 2016, and the same role in the organisation's Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He was awarded the AO for his 'distinguished service to international and transnational law enforcement, to counter-terrorism leadership, to multiculturalism, and to veterans.' Sobering findings from the royal commission revealed 1677 serving and former Defence Force members died of suicide between 1997 and 2021, with that figure 20 times more than the number of members who were killed in action or during military exercises. The government has agreed in principle to implementing 104 of the 122 recommendations from the report, and noted an additional 17 for further consideration. Speaking at the ceremonial closing of the royal commission, Mr Kaldas urged the government and the Defence Force to 'recognise and admit' to the 'unacceptable behaviour' unearthed by the probe, which include rampant sexual abuse and inadequate support given to veterans and unfair delays taken to process claims lodged with the Department of Veterans' Affairs. He said systems had 'failed' many veterans over many years, stating 'our nation remains indebted to them and that debt must be now be repaid'. 'Vigilance must be maintained, and no one should take their foot off the pedal in the reform process once the Royal Commission ceases to exist,' he said. 'And so, we call on this government and succeeding governments to finally take the courageous step of overruling bureaucratic inertia and do what is needed, what is necessary and what is right'. Julie-Ann Finney – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) An instrumental and relentless voice in calling for the Royal Commission in Defence and Veteran Suicide, which was released last year, Julie-Ann Finney's advocacy came from tragedy. The South Australian woman began campaigning for change in the military system after she lost her 38-year-old David to suicide in 2019. Ms Finney paid tribute to her late son and defence families nationwide who have lost a loved one. 'I did wish that he was here to get it. I really don't feel like this is my award,' she said. 'I feel like this award belongs to everybody who served or serves, and all of the voiceless and their families who are fighting for them. 'This has been such a huge fight, and usually if I something happens with me I don't talk about it but I have decided that this one, I'm going to stand on, because we still need so much change.' While she wasn't sure of the logistics, Ms Finney said she had plans of sharing the award with the defence community. 'I don't know how this works, but I'm going to hope that when we get the change that we need, that this award can go to the war memorial to say thank you to all who have served this nation, be they here or not, and their families who have supported them.' Deborah Hutton – Medal of the Order of Australi a (OAM) A familiar face on television screens, Deborah Hutton followed a decade-plus career at the Australian Women's Weekly to becoming a fixture on programs like Amazing Homes and Location Location. She's since parlayed her platform to raising awareness for skin cancer prevention s following two significant skin cancer removal surgeries, taking on ambassadorships for Chick Check Champions, The Skin Hospital, The Skin Health Institute and Lions Australia's Skin Cancer Screening and Awareness Program. Photos of Hutton's 'pretty brutal' recovery following the removal of two Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC) from her face went viral in 2020, however she says the prevenance of the recent tan lines trend was proof of the need for continued advocacy. 'I was like: 'Are you kidding me'? Hutton said, exasperated. 'This is the message that I want these young people to listen to: You are literally investing in having a potentially really dangerous future with your skin. Three out of four Aussies are 100 per cent going to get some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. That's the stat'. Hutton said her message was about having a 'better relationship with the sun'. She also wanted to use her profile to raise more awareness for programs which operate mobile skin check buses and trucks to ensure Aussies in rural and regional areas can access free appointments. 'This is critical because these are areas where they have so little access to get their skin checked,' she said. 'We need more we need more light on these amazing organisations that are doing this, that are putting money behind these mobile units because it's very challenging in some of these areas.'
CNN
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Justice Department opens investigation into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor and a top candidate for New York City mayor, following a referral from congressional Republicans who accused Cuomo of lying during an investigation of his administration's Covid-19 response, a person briefed on the matter said. The nascent inquiry follows an earlier request to the Biden administration that didn't result in an investigation. It also comes after Justice officials ended a separate corruption prosecution of Eric Adams, the current New York mayor who is one of Cuomo's rivals for the job. That move prompted upheaval in the Manhattan US Attorney's Office after prosecutors refused to drop the case as ordered. Adams has vowed to assist the Trump administration's immigration efforts. The Justice Department declined to comment on the Cuomo investigation, reported earlier by The New York Times. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for the former governor, said that they had not been informed of the federal investigation and defended Cuomo's testimony to Congress. 'We have never been informed of any such matter, so why would someone leak it now? The answer is obvious: This is lawfare and election interference plain and simple—something President Trump and his top Department of Justice officials say they are against,' Azzopardi said in a statement. 'Governor Cuomo testified truthfully to the best of his recollection about events from four years earlier, and he offered to address any follow-up questions from the Subcommittee — but from the beginning this was all transparently political.' A Justice official defended the timing of the moves on Adams and Cuomo, saying 'This Department of Justice has ended the weaponization of government and will continue to follow the facts in every case in order restore one tier of justice for all America.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
