Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to evidence given in Senate estimates during question time today. Can the Prime Minister confirm that his office first raised awarding a knighthood to Prince Philip with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in November last year and, if that is the case, why did the Prime Minister raise it with his department in November but never got around to raising it with any of his cabinet ministers before Australia Day?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is because awards in the Order of Australia do not go to cabinet—it is as simple as that. Awards in the Order of Australia have never gone to cabinet and, as I have been absolutely crystal clear, henceforth all awards in the Order of Australia will be determined by the Council for the Order of the Australia.