Tony, what were you thinking knighting Prince Philip? - Women's Agenda

Tony, what were you thinking knighting Prince Philip?

For a Prime Minister who pledged to govern without surprises, Tony Abbott is proving spectacularly adept at surprising us. Particularly, it has to be said, when it comes to demonstrating his seemingly-boundless ability to disregard the prevailing sentiment of those around him.

Earlier today Australians woke up to the news that Abbott had bestowed a Knighthood upon Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband. The public reaction to this news, from all sides of the political spectrum, has been unanimous; what was Tony thinking?

Warren Entsch, a Queensland MP, told Fairfax Media today. “…for the life of me I can’t understand why Prince Philip. I’ve got a dozen people in my electorate, any one of them would be more worthy”. 

The decision to honour Prince Philip – a man who is not Australian who has many times revealed his personal penchant for both racism and sexism – is particularly perplexing given that Abbott’s decision to revive knights and dames last year was not warmly welcomed, even within Liberal quarters. Some of this discontent stemmed from the fact his own Cabinet members weren’t given an opportunity to veto it. This was a captain’s pick and that makes today’s appointment politically dangerous.

Former government minister Amanda Vanstone perfectly captured this danger in a column she wrote in March last year

“Abbott should have recognised before he did this that, unlike other policies, which if they turn out to be mistaken can be modified, this policy cannot be repaired. He is stuck with it. Of course Abbott may not yet, or ever, recognise this move as a mistake. But even if he does, he can’t go back now.

The problem is that every time another appointment is made, voters will be reminded that it was he who reintroduced a system that appears to so many Australians as out of place. Unfortunately MPs and cabinet members will also be reminded that this is the policy on which they were given what we call the royal finger. That’s not a good thing to do to colleagues without whose support you would not be prime minister.”

It is hard to imagine an appointment that would evoke that point as persuasively as Prince Philip. At least with the appointments of Sir Peter Cosgrove, Dame Quentin Bryce and Sir Angus Houston, the man knighted alongside Prince Philip earlier today, there is little argument that these three Australian citizens have contributed substantially to our national life.

Of all the extraordinary Australian men and women for whom the same could be said, Abbott selects Prince Philip as a recipient of this honour? As human rights barrister Julian Burnside put it, “Knighting Prince Philip is like awarding an honorary Bachelor of Arts to a Nobel Laureate”. 

That Abbott didn’t – or couldn’t – recognise that himself only emphasises the genuine disconnect that seems to exist between him, and increasingly, just about everyone else in the country.

The prime minister has today come forward and recognised there has been widespread criticism of Prince Philip’s appointment, but said he stands by his decision.

“I accept it’s been a contentious decision, I absolutely accept that. I absolutely respect people’s rights to disagree with my call on this,” he said.

“I respect their right to be critical, that’s what you get in a democracy such as ours and I take it on the chin.”

He said he has learned he should consult more widely before announcing appointments in future.

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