Liberal and Labor MPs back changes to Australia Day honours system
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MPs from both sides of federal politics have backed changes to the Order of Australia honours system, suggesting the awards could better reflect modern Australia.
Governor-General David Hurley told
The Sydney Morning Herald and
The Age that he wanted to change the awards system, acknowledging it had been historically biased against women and had not included enough Indigenous Australians.
Margaret Court will be recognised on Australia Day with a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Credit:Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images
The comments came amid a furore over leaked news that former tennis champion Margaret Court will be upgraded from an AO (Order of Australia) to an AC (a Companion in the Order of Australia) on Australia Day.
Margaret Court’s sister has defended a decision to recognise the tennis great with the highest Australia Day honour and says she’s “disgusted” with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for condemning it.