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Australia Day 2015: Prince Philip, Angus Houston our newest knights

THE PM has defended has defended his decision to give Australia’s highest honour to a man who once asked an Aboriginal businessman: ‘Do you still throw spears at each other?’

Britain's Prince Philip waves as he leaves the London Clinic in central London, Monday June 17, 2013. The husband of Queen El...
Britain's Prince Philip waves as he leaves the London Clinic in central London, Monday June 17, 2013. The husband of Queen El...

THE Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended his decision to give Australia’s highest honour to a man who once asked an Aboriginal businessman: “Do you still throw spears at each other?”

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was named a Knight of the Order of Australia alongside former Defence Force chief Angus Houston on Tuesday.

But it is the appointment of His Royal Highness that has some Aussies scratching their heads and remembering his most famous gaffe.

But Mr Abbott said the disquiet on social media was “electronic graffiti” and that his decision was “absolutely right”.

“Social media is kind of like electronic graffiti and I think that in the media, you make a big mistake to pay too much attention to social media,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. “(The decision is) absolutely right. Look, the monarchy has been an important part of Australia’s life since 1788,” Mr Abbott said.

“And Prince Philip has been a great servant of Australia, he’s been a great servant of all the countries of the Commonwealth. Here in this country, he’s the patron of hundreds of organisations. He’s the inspiration and wellspring of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards which have provided leadership training for tens, if not, hundreds of thousands of Australians.”

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a reception for the Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in London in 2010.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a reception for the Centenary of Australian Diplomatic Representation in London in 2010.

The jocular Duke made the comment about Indigenous Australians in 2002 on a visit to the Aboriginal Cultural Park in Queensland with the Queen while speaking with businessman William Brim.

“No, we don’t do that anymore,” Mr Brim replied. He later said it was “quite funny” but he was “rather surprised he said it”.

Buckingham Palace was left to clean up the mess. It released a statement saying the comments were “lighthearted” and “there was no offense intended”.

Mr Abbott said Prince Philip was receiving the honour to recognise his contribution to Australia over the course of the Queen’s 62-year reign.

Is Prince Philip the right choice for a knighthood? Leave a comment below

“He has served Australia with distinction and is patron of over 800 organisations.” He said the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia had “supported the development of young Australians for more than fifty years”.

But the PM’s choice for a knighthood hasn’t gone down well with everyone.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten offered broad support for the announcement, describing Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston’s knighthood as an ‘outstanding’ decision, but questioned the choice of Prince Philip.

“Prince Phillip has been very distinguished ever since he married the young Queen. He’s had six decades of public service,” he said.

“My reservations are not about him, I just think he already has a lot of knighthoods and awards. I just wonder if they couldn’t have picked someone who is Australian in character and activity.

“I don’t get the priority the government had in nominating him.

“It’s a time warp where we’re giving knighthoods to English royalty.”

Australian Republican Movement chairman Geoff Gallop said it was bad enough that Tony Abbott reintroduced knighthoods, a move even former prime minister John Howard opposed.

That was totally inappropriate when Australia had its own well-run honours system, he said.

“Now to add to that, on Australia Day to nominate Prince Philip as a knight of Australia, it’s just ludicrous,” he told ABC radio.

“It indicates how we have this dual system. The cultural cringe is back. Paying due obeisance to British

Social media also hasn’t taken kindly to the news, with many mocking the decision and questioning the Prince’s suitability.

The PM also recommended a knighthood for Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.

Mr Abbott said Air Chief Marshal Houston’s knighthood was to recognise his “extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia over many years”.

Mr Abbott praised Air Chief Marshal Houston, who served in the armed forces for more than forty years, rising to become Chief of Air Force in 2001 and Chief of the Defence Force in 2005.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003 and made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2008.

Our new knight, Angus Houston
Our new knight, Angus Houston

Since retiring from the military in 2011, he has worked as Chairman of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board, Chairman of Airservices Australia and Chairman of the Council for the Order of Australia.

“Successive governments have relied on Sir Angus’ wisdom, judgment and character,” Mr Abbott said.

“Throughout his life, Sir Angus has put Australia first.

“He immigrated to Australia as an adult, he chose Australia and we are much the better for it.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/australia-day-2015-prince-philip-angus-houston-our-newest-knights/news-story/2f16ca9c25ba9cc08bf67a842d0ab097