PM reveals national sport medal bid for honours list

ELITE athletes, sporting officials and grassroots volunteers are set to be recognised for their years of service and achievements through a new medal in Australia’s honours system.

The criteria for the new medal, set to be announced by the Governor-General annually through the Australia Day Honours List, is being developed by the Federal Government.

A one-off Australian Sports Medal was awarded to 18,000 people in 2000 to coincide with the Sydney Olympics.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants the medal to take in Australian athletes at all levels — from the Invictus Games to the Olympics and community sport.

He has written to federal Labor leader Bill Shorten to seek bipartisan help to develop a proposal after he raised it in parliament last year following the Invictus Games in Sydney — an international multi-sport event created by Prince Harry for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel.

But issues prevent reinstating the Australian Sports Medal — which was established by Queen Elizabeth II for only one year in 1999 — meaning the award would need a new name.

The one-off presentations almost two decades ago acknowledged a range of Australians’ contributions to the nation’s sporting success, including former competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders and people who maintain sporting facilities and services.

“There is merit in a specific honour commemorating achievements in sport on an ongoing basis,” Mr Morrison said.