I normally support Abbott but not on this. Australian is an egalitarian society and should abolish the whole honours system. We should retain medals for our military who put their life on the line in battle, but thats all.
The Americans don't have an honour system for philosophical reasons, nor should we.
Every year singers, football players and public servants get awards for what they are paid to do. In the voluntary organisations is usually the big mouth president who gets a gong, not old Ethel who made the sandwiches for 40 years. As for corrupt ex politicians, well...