Robert Doyle’s national honour investigated

Former lord mayor Robert Doyle is facing a probe into his Companion of the Order of Australia gong after a complaint.

Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle declared his innocence over sexual harassment allegations. Picture: Julian Smith

Former lord mayor Robert Doyle is facing an investigation into a national honour he received.

The Council of the Order of Australia is reviewing his Companion of the Order (AC) gong after a complaint was made to the body.

Melbourne occupational therapist Joseph Cooper-Nolan has called for Mr Doyle’s honour to be revoked in relation to the death of Mr Cooper-Nolan’s father at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Mr Cooper-Nolan said that his father, Peter Nolan, “died in violent, preventable and unnatural circumstances” at Melbourne Health psychiatric hospital in 2013.

The matter was subject to a County Court hearing in 2021, and further legal action is pending.

Mr Doyle was chairman of the hospital at the time of Mr Nolan’s death, and was lord mayor until early 2018, when he resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Subsequent inquiries by the City of Melbourne and Department of Health found Mr Doyle had engaged in inappropriate behaviour involving a number of women.

Mr Doyle denied any wrongdoing during the investigations.

Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle’s harrassment findings are not part of the investigation. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Cooper-Nolan told the Herald Sun that he had also made a separate complaint to the Order of Australia about Mr Doyle’s alleged sexual harassment behaviour..

Under the Order of Australia’s constitution, the cancellation or termination of awards is normally considered where an individual has a criminal conviction or has been subject to an adverse finding by a court or tribunal.

Victoria Police investigated claims against Mr Doyle, but no charges ensued.

A Council for the Order of Australia spokesman said the body investigated matters brought to its attention and considered each case individually, but did not comment on individual cases. “The grounds under which an award or appointment to the Order of Australia can be cancelled or terminated are set out the Constitution of the Order of Australia,” he said.

“After due process, the Council recommends appropriate action to the Governor-General. In all matters relating to the termination or cancellation of an award or appointment to the Order of Australia, the Governor-General acts on recommendations made by the Council for the Order of Australia.”

There have been 50 terminations or cancellations since 1975.

Mr Doyle has been contacted for comment.