Posted on 06/08/2008 3:21:55 PM PDT by naturalman1975
IT may seem like the perfect opportunity to score a political point - the Labor Government recommending John Howard, the architect of the GST, for Australia's highest honour for his services to politics and the economy - but the former prime minister is playing a straight bat.
Fresh from watching the Australian cricket team play in the West Indies, and travelling to England, Mr Howard wasn't interested in playing games.
Nor did his right-hand man Arthur Sinodinos -- the soul and direction of Mr Howard's office for 10 years, who has also been honoured in the Rudd Government's first Queen's Birthday honours list since its election last year -- have any political point to make. Mr Howard's reaction to his award of the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest award under the system of Australian honours, was a restrained: "It's a privilege and an honour.
"I think it is recognition of not just myself but the contribution of my family, staff and colleagues over almost 12 years of government," the former prime minister told The Australian from Yorkshire.
In a brief statement issued by his office yesterday, Mr Howard said he was proud of what "the government I led did to strengthen Australia, which in so many ways is the envy of the world". "I see the award also as a recognition of my family and also those who worked with me in government; I thank all of them," he said.
"It was a huge privilege to serve as prime minister for almost 12 years. My concern will always be the welfare of the Australian people."
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
He is now The Honourable John Winston Howard AC
For distinguished service to the parliament of Australia, particularly as prime minister and through contributions to economic and social policy reform, fostering and promoting Australia's interests internationally, and the development of significant philanthropic links between the business sector, arts and charitable organisations.
Speaking as a Member of the Order, I am proud to see John Howard admitted to its ranks at the highest level.
This man was a tremendous leader. It is too bad many Aussies had no clue. Many Kudos to Mr. Howard.
Is like being SIR or Lord in Aussie terms
For instance he can as Baron John Howard if he really want to
This is awesome! Congratulations, Mr. Howard!
I think the Australians and New Zealanders have banned titles in their honours, they think it smacks too much of pommy snobiness in a society that prides itself on classlessness and whatever, even though they can’t quite bring themselves to turn themselves into republics....
AC is the highest Honour Australia currently bestows. Until 1986, there was the AK - Knight of the Order of Australia - which made it's recipient a Sir, but the Labor government of the day ended that Honour.
Australians can still be awarded Knighthoods by the Queen, which would make them a Sir or a Dame, but such an award would be made through the Imperial Orders not through the Order of Australia - there is speculation that John Howard might eventually receive such an Honour.
Likewise, the Queen could, in theory, grant an Australian a Peerage which would make that person a Lord or a Lady, but this has occurred only a handful of times in Australian history, and is very unlikely to ever happen again.
I hope some day PM Howard get that honours I doubt it under that stupid Gordie Brown adminisation maybe in Tory party govt he may get it maybe David Cameron would suggest it
Australia does not ban titles in our Honours system, but the Australian government no longer awards new titles (since 1986). Those who hold existing titles continue to hold them - there’s quite a few Sirs and Dames around - and Australians can be awarded titles directly by the Queen (for example, Sir David Smith was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1990 by personal gift of the Queen), or on the advice of the British government (Robert May, Baron May of Oxford, an Australian citizen, was elevated to the Peerage in 2001 on the advice of the British government).
There are still a number of honours that the Queen can award personally without the advice of Her governments. If John Howard is knighted, it will almost certainly be into one of these Orders.
That sweetttt if that happen I want see SIR John Howard in near future LOL!
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