Australia ditches knights and dames

CANBERRA: Australia has removed knights and dames from the national honours system, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said yesterday, dismissing the ancient titles as “not appropriate” in the modern age.

Knights and dames were unexpectedly revived last year by then premier and ardent monarchist Tony Abbott – prompting accusations he was in a “time warp” and out of touch with voters.

Turnbull had been widely expected to dump the titles ever since he replaced Abbott in September.

“The cabinet recently considered the Order of Australia ... and agreed that knights and dames are not appropriate in our modern honours system,” Turnbull said in a statement.

The prime minister said Britain’s Queen Elizabeth had agreed to the government’s recommendation to remove knights and dames from the Order of Australia, which recognises achievement and service.

“This change will not affect existing knights and dames,” he added.

Speaking later in Sydney, Turnbull said: “This reflects modern Australia; knights and dames are titles that are really anachronistic, they’re out of date, they’re not appropriate in 2015 in Australia.” – AFP