Australia Day Honours list for 2021: Turnbull, Cahill, Court honoured while Kerry O’Brien rejects award in protest
There is no shortage of star names in this year’s Australia Day Honours list, but the awards have already been marred by controversy.
The Australia Day Honours list has been revealed and notable Aussies being honoured this year include a former prime minister and a number of household names in Australian sport.
Among them are Malcolm Turnbull, Gai Waterhouse, Greg Chappell and Tim Cahill.
Margaret Court has been honoured for her service to tennis but her nomination has been met with controversy.
Australian TV veteran Kerry O’Brien backflipped on the honour after previously accepting an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). He changed his mind due to the “deeply insensitive and divisive decision” to award the tennis legend.
The former Four Corners presenter and political correspondent is widely regarded as one of the most important voices in journalism. He was honoured for distinguished service to broadcast media.
The Age reports O’Brien wrote a letter reversing his decision on Saturday to the office of the Governor-General, David Hurley.
“I believe the decision to award Australia’s highest honour to Margaret Court may serve to erode the hard-fought gains made over decades in reducing the impact of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community,” he wrote.
He said he was also refusing the award “in support” of Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, a transgender woman and LGBTIQ advocate who received an Order of Australia medal in 2016 but has now written to the Governor-General to inform him she no longer wants it.
“Given the message that the Council for the Order of Australia is sending by giving this promotion to Mrs Margaret Court, I would like to return my OAM,” Dr Soo wrote.
“I do not want to be seen as supporting the values that the Council for the Order of Australia seem to be supporting with this promotion of Mrs Margaret Court.”
O’Brien said: “To me Dr Took Meng Soo epitomises the true spirit of the Order of Australia. Her actions speak volumes as to why the Court award is so wrong.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Friday that he does not believe Court is worthy of the award.
“I don’t believe she has views that accord with the vast majority of people across our nation that see people from the LGBTIQ community as equal and deserving of dignity, respect and safety,” he said.
“I don’t believe she shares those views and I don’t believe she should be honoured because of that.”
NOTABLE NAMES
In total there have been more than 800 Australians recognised, including 571 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 28 recipients in the Military Division of the Order of Australia and 176 meritorious awards.
Governor-General David Hurley sent his congratulations to all those who were recognised.
“The individuals we celebrate today come from all parts of our great nation and have served the community in almost every way conceivable,” he said.
“They’re diverse and unique but there are some common characteristics, including selflessness, commitment and dedication.”
Some of this year’s most notable names include:
MARGARET COURT
The 78-year-old was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for “eminent service to tennis as an internationally acclaimed player and record-holding grand slam champion, and as a mentor of young sportspersons”.
Court won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, 19 Grand Slam doubles titles and 21 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and was the first Australian woman to win Wimbledon in 1963.
Her achievements on the tennis court are well recognised but her comments off the court – particularly about the LGBTIQ community – have been met with condemnation.
Court hit back at critics after news about her Australia Day honours were leaked. She claimed she had been unfairly bullied over her beliefs, calling on her outspoken critics to stop.
MALCOLM TURNBULL
Mr Turnbull, Australia’s prime minister from 2015-2018, was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for “eminent service to the people and parliament of Australia, particularly as prime minister, through significant contributions to national security, free trade, the environment and clean energy, innovation, economic reform and marriage equality, and to business and philanthropy”.
The Chair of Australian Republican Movement published his fourth book, The Bigger Picture, in 2020.
CRAIG FOSTER
The former Socceroos captain turned refugee advocate was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia for service to multiculturalism and human rights.
Foster has worked tirelessly to give a voice to refugees and asylum seekers who were kept locked up on Nauru and Manus Island and later in Australia.
TIM CAHILL
Cahill, another former Socceroos captain who scored 50 goals for Australia, was recognised for distinguished service to football.
G REG CHAPPELL
One of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers, who captained Australia in 48 Tests, was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to cricket.
JAY WEATHERILL
The premier of South Australia between 2011-2018 was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the people during his time in SA parliament.
GAI WATERHOUSE
The Melbourne Cup winning racehorse owner was recognised with an Officer of the Order of Australia award for distinguished service to the thoroughbred horse racing industry.
GRAHAM ROSS
The Better Homes And Gardens presenter was recognised in this year’s awards for service to broadcast media.
CAL BRUTON
The former National Basketball League player and coach was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to basketball.
“Recipients have not put their hand up to be recognised. Most would consider the achievements that they are being recognised for to be ‘ordinary’ or just what they do,” the Governor-General said.
“Therein is the great strength of our system – recipients in the Order of Australia have been nominated by their peers, considered by an independent process and, today, recognised by the nation.
“The sum of these contributions speaks to our nation’s greatest strength – its people.”
Nominations for the Order of Australia can be made at any time throughout the year. If you know someone worthy, nominate them at www.gg.gov.au.
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