Peta Credlin, the chief of staff when Tony Abbott was prime minister, is among a record amount of women receiving Order of Australia honours for the Queen’s Birthday.
Peta Credlin is among the Australians honoured in the Queen s Birthday awards sbs.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sbs.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A third Australian legend has handed back his Order of Australia award after selectors also acknowledged controversial tennis star Margaret Court for the top honour.
Renowned artist Peter Kingston was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012, but has since returned his medal.
The painter, most famous for capturing Sydney Harbour, stood in solidarity with veteran television journalist Kerry O Brien and general practitioner Clara Tuck Meng Soo, who both returned their medals.
Court was one of four people made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2021 - the highest honour in the nation.
She was given the top gong for eminent service to tennis as an internationally acclaimed player and record-holding grand slam champion, and as a mentor of young sportspersons.
Former ABC journalist Kerry O Brien rejects Australia Day honour in protest over Margaret Court award.
Renowned journalist Kerry O Brien has rejected his Australia Day award, saying the decision to give former tennis great Margaret Court the country s highest honour is deeply insensitive and divisive .
Margaret Court has been vocal about her views against LGBTQ+ relationships
She is being elevated from an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) to a Companion (AC)
Kerry O Brien s decision comes in support of a Canberra doctor who handed back her 2016 honour
The former host of the ABC s Four Corners and 7.30 programs wrote to the Governor-General s secretary Paul Singer on Sunday knocking back his appointment as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia the second-highest honour.