Deserved and controversial gongs

Australians who have long objected to the nation’s highest Australia Day and King’s Birthday honours going to former political leaders who did no more than the jobs for which the public paid them have every reason to be agitated over the Companion of the Order of Australia awards going to the nation’s most polarising Covid-era premiers.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and former West Australian premier Mark McGowan were both recognised for their health policies. Mr Andrews presided over one of the world’s longest lockdowns, totalling 262 days, an 8pm curfew and bans on children using playgrounds. His government’s botched hotel quarantine program led to the deaths of more than 800 people. Mr McGowan closed WA’s borders for almost two years, keeping visitors out well after the worst of the Covid crisis had passed.

Despite leaving Victoria an economic basket case, with state debt set to reach $180.7bn by 2027, more than that of NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined, Mr Andrews received his award for “eminent service to the people and parliament of Victoria” as well as for public health, policy and regulatory reform, and infrastructure development. It will not help public perceptions that the state’s representative on the body that considers nominations for the awards – the Council for the Order of Australia – is Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule. We are not suggesting he acted improperly, but his involvement could raise questions as Mr Andrews appointed him to his $700,000 job.

Mr McGowan received the same award as Mr Andrews for “eminent service to the people and parliament of Western Australia, to public health and education, and to international trade relations”. That was despite his push for a softer stance on China by the Morrison government after Beijing imposed sanctions on our barley, wine, seafood, timber, beef, cotton and coal. These were imposed as a means of coercion after Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the outbreak of Covid in China.

Awards acknowledge jobs well done, over and above the call of duty, by professionals, high-profile figures and unsung heroes, many of whom are listed on Monday. This year, fast bowling great Glenn McGrath exemplifies the spirit of the awards, not only for his sporting prowess but for the foundation he set up with his first wife, Jane McGrath, who died of breast cancer aged 42. Its nurses have helped countless others.