There goes hopes for a knighthood
HE RESTORED an oath of allegiance to the Queen when he was sworn in as Prime Minister, but Tony Abbott has ruled out bringing back Knights and Dames in Australia.
Monarchists, including David Flint and Alexander Downer, have mused that the PM is such a traditionalist that he may follow New Zealand’s lead and bring back knighthoods.
But critics within the Liberal Party have savaged the idea labelling it an attempt to introduce a ‘‘bunyip aristocracy’’.
Mr Abbott said that he did not support the idea, which would involve converting the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) to Knighthoods or reintroducing a new regal honour.
‘‘It’s true that some people have said to me: ‘ What about doing what New Zealand did’,’’ Mr Abbott said.
‘‘But I don’t think it would be practical to just rebadge ACs. There was a rarity to their AC equivalent which made it easier for them to do this.’’