WfaAR in Print on New Imperial Honours

Here is our letter to The Canberra Times published 27 March 2014: “We predicted in these columns before the 2010 election that Tony Abbott would reinstate knighthoods if he became PM. What a clever little starting number, four a year. That will keep the tribe of OAs in its place. All to be the PM’s whim, anytime, and with the Queen of Australia’s approval. That really is the backward step. Being G-G, the high life at Yarralumla for five years and being on a select list are reward enough. What more is required? Before long, it will be 40 a year including “deserving” politicians. Egalitarianism has gone out the window of hierarchy and privilege. All republicans should, like me, be glowing with rage. By the way, do partners of dames, defacto wives of sirs and same sex partners get a title too? If not, the new tier of honours is discriminatory. Better get Brandis onto it.”