webfact Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Australia's knighting of Prince Philip prompts puzzlementSYDNEY (AP) — Australia's prime minister on Monday dismissed criticism of his decision to make the husband of Queen Elizabeth II an Australian knight, saying Prince Philip has a long history of service Down Under.Prime Minister Tony Abbott's announcement that the Duke of Edinburgh would be awarded Australia's highest honor came on Australia's national holiday, prompting some to question the wisdom of knighting a British royal on a day meant to commemorate Australians."It's a time warp where we're giving knighthoods to English royalty," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told Fairfax Radio. "On Australia Day, we're talking about Australia, Australian identity. The government's managed to find a British royal to give a medal to, a knighthood to."Adam Giles, government head of the Northern Territory, questioned whether he'd confused his holidays."I woke up this morning and read the wires and I thought it was April Fool's Day," he said. "I think it takes away from the legitimacy of the knighthood role. I think it makes a bit of a joke in a range of areas."And Terri Butler, lawmaker with the opposition Labor party, tweeted her own puzzlement: "He didn't really knight a prince, did he?"Despite the criticism, Abbott insisted the prince was a good friend of Australia and therefore, a good candidate for the nation's knighthood."The monarchy has been an important part of Australia's life since 1788," Abbott said. "And Prince Philip has been a great servant of Australia. He's been a great servant of all the countries of the Commonwealth. Here in this country, he's the patron of hundreds of organizations."The Order of Australia — the nation's official honor system — first introduced categories for knights and dames in 1976, and awarded 14 people those honors until the categories were abolished a decade later. Abbott reinstated them last year.Former Defense Force chief Angus Houston, who has overseen the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 off Australia's west coast, was also knighted on Monday.-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hansgruber Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 Kissing a bit of ass before he gets the ass at the next election. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bdenner Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Does this fool have no bounds? Reintroducing British awards to Australians, threatening to "Shirt Front" Putin and now this! The Labor party just need to show up to win the next election, we are knackered either way. BTW - What has "Phil the Greek" ever done for us? Edited January 27, 2015 by bdenner 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinneil Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I agree 100% what has PHILIP the greek ever done for us. Answer sweet f.a. Tony Abbot is living on another planet. Get real mate for f---s sake. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansgruber Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I agree 100% what has PHILIP the greek ever done for us. Answer sweet f.a. Tony Abbot is living on another planet. Get real mate for f---s sake. It's a sycophantic gesture that is sickening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post samran Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades ago 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MrJohnson Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades ago Well said Paul. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJohnson Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 At 4.13 M - "gee Mum, is what what it was like then?'....and John Hewson and John Howard respond..." no kids, this is the future" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chooka Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 Tony dumb, dumb strikes again. I agree what has this Greek guy ever done for Australia. What has the royal family ever done apart from put a drain on taxpayers when they come over for a free holiday. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Does this fool have no bounds? Reintroducing British awards to Australians, threatening to "Shirt Front" Putin and now this! The Labor party just need to show up to win the next election, we are knackered either way. BTW - What has "Phil the Greek" ever done for us? You've got a lot of Greek Australians over there - maybe he started the trend. All those yummy kebabs after the boozing. Yummy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 How is that possible? I mean technically... From my understanding of history, a knighthood is given by a royal person to a deserving subject. Now, PM Tony is not royalty, he is an abbot (give or take a 't'). Or was there a clandestine change in the constitution for Tony to become Tony the First, Abbot of Australia? Maybe he wants Philip to kneel in front of him, while he swings a sword bestowing the title? I think the Australian government should change that designation from a 'knighthood' to a 'kangarooship', much more in line with democratic principles. And 'Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Kangaroo of Australia' sounds cool, too! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Tony dumb, dumb strikes again. I agree what has this Greek guy ever done for Australia. What has the royal family ever done apart from put a drain on taxpayers when they come over for a free holiday. He seems determined to crawl and suck up to Obama and the British establishment for some reason. Is he after a job as most think he'll be a one term wonder? Britain founded the modern Australia - claiming land, mistreating the Aboriginal people already there and then exporting lots of criminals and undesirables from the UK and colonies. Followed by periods of migration. More recently Southern Europeans, S E Asians, and lots of Chinese have migrated there. So to answer your question, without the patronage of the Royal family, there wouldn't be the modern Australia you know today. Just a land at one with nature and it's aboriginal people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humqdpf Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I do wonder whether the writer intended the double-entendre - they are going to give Prince Philip a Knighthood "for his long history of service down under!" But seriously folks, can we list the services rendered to Australia by the prince? Oh, sorry, that was the second joke! How stupid of me! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gandtee Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 Should give it to Andrew. It seems that he has done a lot down under 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiKT Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Tony dumb, dumb strikes again. I agree what has this Greek guy ever done for Australia. What has the royal family ever done apart from put a drain on taxpayers when they come over for a free holiday. He seems determined to crawl and suck up to Obama and the British establishment for some reason. Is he after a job as most think he'll be a one term wonder? Britain founded the modern Australia - claiming land, mistreating the Aboriginal people already there and then exporting lots of criminals and undesirables from the UK and colonies. Followed by periods of migration. More recently Southern Europeans, S E Asians, and lots of Chinese have migrated there. So to answer your question, without the patronage of the Royal family, there wouldn't be the modern Australia you know today. Just a land at one with nature and it's aboriginal people. Same old yadayada, "mistreated", "exporting criminals" (got that bit right and their still there) "at one with nature", "to many Chinese" (that's probably right) but it's enough to make anybody puke. Actually Phill tG has done more than almost anybody else in modern history to promote good relations between nations. It must make you inverted snobs very unhappy that somebody is recognised for anything except dying from a mere cricket ball to the head. I would have thought that would improve the intelligence quota of most wimpy Aussies. Ergo, it must mean a dead digger is the most intelligent, so you must have written this rubbish from beyond the grave. Phill tG is a modern day Hero and deserves the recognition, get over it. NB This is not Ausi bashing (much). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 The Aussies absolutely adore their monarchy and will do what they can to show it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverdie Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades ago Keating and his predassessor Hawke got nothing right.....fool socialists. I can't imagine he got anything right. Abbott is a tool, what a waste of money and pathetic suck job. it will be a one term govt this one and the shorten and his mates can get on with the job of destroyingb Australia completely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hansgruber Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades agoKeating and his predassessor Hawke got nothing right.....fool socialists. I can't imagine he got anything right.Abbott is a tool, what a waste of money and pathetic suck job. it will be a one term govt this one and the shorten and his mates can get on with the job of destroyingb Australia completely. Vote Australian liberty Alliance. It's the only way to turn it around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverdie Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades agoKeating and his predassessor Hawke got nothing right.....fool socialists. I can't imagine he got anything right.Abbott is a tool, what a waste of money and pathetic suck job. it will be a one term govt this one and the shorten and his mates can get on with the job of destroyingb Australia completely. Vote Australian liberty Alliance. It's the only way to turn it around. Vote a nuclear explosion under parliament house first day of sitting....all dead start again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I dont understand why they would make him a Knight , he is way to old to participate in the jousting tournaments . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookMan Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 The Aussies absolutely adore their monarchy and will do what they can to show it. Quite so. Every morning I sit regally upon my throne, sending royal dispatches to Tony Abbott & co. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripstanley Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Kissing a bit of ass before he gets the ass at the next election. The Abbott will be defeated by the Bishop before the next election. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayboy Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Tony dumb, dumb strikes again. I agree what has this Greek guy ever done for Australia. What has the royal family ever done apart from put a drain on taxpayers when they come over for a free holiday. Well I can tell you one thing though like many of his generation he does not like to brag about it.As a young naval officer in WW2 he acquitted himself courageously in several brutal and highly dangerous naval engagements.So if his personal commitment in the struggle against fascism strikes you as nothing, that is your prerogative. Personally I admire him greatly and it seems mean spirited to use the kind of language used on this thread.If the ghosts of the ANZAC heroes could materialise and express an opinion I feel it would be to raise a cheer for this quirky brave and loyal old man. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longstaff Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Two points: Firstly, you don't make a prince a knight; a prince is well beyond knighthood by birthright. The traditional role of a night is to protect their lord / king / royal family. Secondly, if there is a need or desire to acknowledge a particular royal for their commitment / achievement / whatever, then surely there are other ways to do so. In the good old days they erected a statue in your honour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samran Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades agoKeating and his predassessor Hawke got nothing right.....fool socialists. I can't imagine he got anything right.Abbott is a tool, what a waste of money and pathetic suck job. it will be a one term govt this one and the shorten and his mates can get on with the job of destroyingb Australia completely. Keating has probably been the most right wing australian treasurer in the past 40 years. He make an excellent first australian president. And yep I'm being serious. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keebone Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I do wonder whether the writer intended the double-entendre - they are going to give Prince Philip a Knighthood "for his long history of service down under!" But seriously folks, can we list the services rendered to Australia by the prince? Oh, sorry, that was the second joke! How stupid of me! Risked life and limb serving as a Midshipman on a battleship protecting the Australian Expeditionary Forces in WWII. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 'Australia's prime minister on Monday (said) ... Prince Philip has a long history of service Down Under.' He has a longer history of putting his foot in it, Down Under, Up Over, Around About and just about everywhere else. I should imagine his wife is as bemused as numerous Australians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWorldwide Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 It's difficult to imagine where the push for this came from, even within his own party - surely they have much larger fish to fry with the mining boom fizzling and the eurozone on the brink of possible collapse ? Australia has worked hard to convince various Asian nations that Canberra wants to be taken seriously in the region, then they go and hoist the Union Jack over Parliament House - it's worse than Howard's most embarrassing cuddles with GWB. Those two may have needed a cold shower, but at least he didnt try to pin a medal on the guy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverdie Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Keating had the right character assessment on these guys two decades agoKeating and his predassessor Hawke got nothing right.....fool socialists. I can't imagine he got anything right.Abbott is a tool, what a waste of money and pathetic suck job. it will be a one term govt this one and the shorten and his mates can get on with the job of destroyingb Australia completely. Keating has probably been the most right wing australian treasurer in the past 40 years. He make an excellent first australian president. And yep I'm being serious. Ohh good heavens.....give me the strength. Ps: won't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kinmaew Posted January 27, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2015 I honestly can never understand peoples obsession with royalty. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now