More than half of Australians taking part in a new poll have said the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List got it wrong, with backlash over Scott Morrison receiving the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Mr Morrison was one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List on Monday.
The former prime minister received the recognition “for eminent service to the people”, “leadership of the national COVID-19 response” and his “economic initiatives”.
However, a News Corp reader poll with more than 5,000 responses found 54 per cent of Australians disagreed with the honours list.
There has also been a Change.org petition set up with more than 9,000 signatures protesting Mr Morrison’s reception of the award.
“Scott Morrison does not deserve to be awarded Australia’s highest award,” the petition said.
“Let’s not forget Robodebt, Sports and other rorts, the secret ministries, he didn’t hold a hose, climate denial, millions given out to corporate COVID relief…
“Australia made its decision on Scott Morrison when the out-of-touch, chaotic and arrogant government of one of Australia’s worst PMs was wiped out in 2022.”
Mr Morrison’s tenure ended in defeat in the 2022 federal election, following the controversial appointment of himself to multiple secret ministerial portfolios.
The secret appointments were later condemned when the government’s solicitor general said the decision “fundamentally undermined” responsible government.
Mr Morrison told Sky News he was “very humbled by the recognition” and gave credit to the Australian people for enduring through a time of multiple national crises.
“I’m very humbled by the recognition and thankful to the Australian people who gave me the opportunity to serve as Prime Minister,” he said.
“We were challenged in so many different ways during those almost four years I served as Prime Minister.”
He pointed to everything from natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recession it caused, and threats in the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Morrison said his most defining legacy was strengthening Australia’s national security through international partnerships.
“The security challenges we faced in the Indo-Pacific were particularly concerning and they continue to this day,” he said.
“To be able to work together with allies and partners through the formation of AUKUS and through the establishment of the Quad Leaders Dialogue… proved to be a game changer.”
