Queen’s birthday honours list: Former PM Rudd dedicates award to first Australians

Four years after rejecting a Companion of the Order of Australia, Rudd relents | FULL LIST

Former PM Kevin Rudd at Parliament House in Canberra. He will become a Companion of the Order of Australia today. Picture: Kym Smith

When Kevin Rudd was formally offered the distinction of being made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2015, he declined.

“There was a reason for that,” Mr Rudd told The Australian. “Serving as a member of parliament, Foreign Minister and Prime Minister is a privilege in itself requiring no further reward.

“I wanted instead time to make a wider contribution beyond political life. I have sought to do that over the last five years through the Asia Society in promoting understanding of the peoples and cultures of Asia, including China, where so much of our future lies.

As Chair of the International Peace Institute, I have tried to support the peace-building, sustainable economic development and climate change initiatives of the United Nations. And as Chair on the Global Partnership on Sanitation and Water for All, I have sought to bring practical action to these most basic of human needs for the world’s most impoverished peoples.”

Today, Mr Rudd becomes a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the parliament of Australia, particularly as Prime Minister, to indigenous reconciliation, innovative economic initiatives and major policy reform, and through senior advisory roles with international organisations.

As one of his first acts as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Rudd delivered an apology to indigenous Australians for the forced removals of Australian indigenous children from their families on 13 February, 2007.

Mr Rudd said he dedicates his award to “our indigenous brothers and sisters”.

“These first Australians are the oldest continuing civilisations on earth, and for those of us who have arrived in recent centuries, it is a privilege to share this vast and ancient continent with them. Since leaving office, Therese and I have established the National Apology Foundation for indigenous Australians as our own contribution to the important work of reconciliation for which the next step is constitutional recognition. And this important work must continue.”

“I am deeply grateful to the Australian people for giving me the opportunity to serve them and our country,” Mr Rudd told The Australian. “This also enabled me to be part of Australia’s wider engagement with our region and the world. Australians are a good people, with warm hearts, practical minds and a deeply entrenched spirit of service.”

Mr Rudd also thanked his wife Thérèse and three children, Jessica, Nicholas and Marcus.

“Together they have been a source of constant love, friendship and support throughout. I accept this award on their behalf because without my family, I would be nothing.”

Queen’s Birthday honours

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