Order of Australia

The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service". The Order was established on February 14, 1975, when Queen Elizabeth II, acting in her capacity of Queen of Australia, signed Letters Patent instituting the Order. Before this date, Australian citizens received British honours. On May 24 1976 in London the Queen signed Letters Patent, countersigned by then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, with a schedule making provision for a further category of membership as Knight or Dame and for a Medal of the Order of Australia. Knights and Dames of the Order were to be entitled to the prefix "Sir" or "Dame", and the post-nominal initials AK or AD. The award of AK and AD was discontinued in the late 1980s by agreement of the Australian Labor Party Government and the Liberal-National Party coalition Opposition. On March 3, 1986 in Canberra the Queen signed Letters Patent, countersigned by then Prime Minister Robert Hawke, with a schedule revoking the category of Knight or Dame.

Related Topics:
Order of chivalry - Australian - February 14 - 1975 - Queen Elizabeth II - Queen of Australia - Letters Patent - British honours - May 24 - 1976 - London - Prime Minister - Malcolm Fraser - Schedule - Knight - Post-nominal - Australian Labor Party - Liberal - National Party - March 3 - 1986 - Canberra - Robert Hawke

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The Order of Australia is modelled closely upon the Order of Canada. However, when compared with the Order of Canada, the Order of Australia has been awarded rather more liberally, especially in regard to honorary awards for foreigners. Whereas the Order of Canada has only been awarded to eleven "foreigners" to date, the Order of Australia is often awarded to foreigners; for example, the French keeper of an Australian war cemetery in France was inducted.

Related Topics:
Order of Canada - French

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