Video Information


Below: A compendium of video comments relevant to the reintroduction of Knights and Dames in Australia, drawn from ABC footage and telecast on The Insiders.




Below: Posted on March 28, 2014. A comic look at Tony Abbott's decision to bring back Knights and Dames. Lyrics by Margot Leighton and James Wakeling, set to Night and Day by Cole Porter.




Below: British popular singer, Sir Cliff Richard, describes receiving his knighthood and the effect the experience had upon him.




Below:A report telecast on October 13, 2012, of New Zealand's decision to reinstitute Knights and Dames.




Below:A video recording of New Zealand filmmaker, Sir Peter Jackson, receiving his knighthood from New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand.






Web links, documents


On December 22, 2014, The Sunday Telegraph published a report titled 'PM Tony Abbott rules out reinstating Knights and Dames in Oz' in which Prime Minister Abbott indicated that he would not reintroduce Knights and Dames in the manner in which New Zealand had done so.
The full text of this report can be found at http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/pm-tony-abbott-rules-out-reinstating-knights-and-dames-in-oz/story-fni0cx12-1226788026229

On March 25, 2014, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a media release titled 'A New Honour for Pre-eminent Australians'
The press release indicates that 'Her Majesty the Queen has amended the Letters Patent constituting the Order of Australia' such that 'Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia will be approved by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.'
The full text of the release can be accessed at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-03-25/new-honour-pre-eminent-australians

On March 25, 2014, The Guardian published a report on the Tony Abbott's decision to reintroduce Knights and Dames.
The full text of this report can be found at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/25/labor-ahead-in-the-polls-as-canberra-bids-farewell-to-quentin-bryce-politics-live

On March 26, 2014, an opinion piece written by Petra Starke was published in the Adelaide Advertiser. The comment is critical of the reinstitution of knights and dames.
The full text of the comment can be found at http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/petra-starke-abbott-has-resurrected-dames-and-knights-dont-be-distracted/story-fni6unxq-1226865598811

On March 26, 2014, ABC News published a report titled, 'Knights and dames: Tony Abbott says he did not ask his Cabinet or party room before reinstating honours'
The full text of this report can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/knights-and-dames-tony-abbott-did-not-consult-cabinet/5345888

On March 27, 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald published a report detailing Malcolm Turnbull's response to the reintroduction of Knights and Dames.
The full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australia-like-esteemed-republics-peru-and-guatemala-malcolm-turnbull-gently-mocks-reintroduction-of-knights-and-dames-20140327-35jof.html

On March 27, 2014, The Guardian published a report titled 'John Howard confirms his belief knights and dames are "anachronistic"'
The full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/27/john-howard-confirms-his-belief-knights-and-dames-are-anachronistic

On March 28, 2014, The Conversation published the full text of an interview Michelle Grattan conducted with Prime Minister Tony Abbott in which he gave his opinion on a variety of issues, including his reintroduction of knights and dames.
The full text of this interview can be found at http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/03/28/comment-conversation-tony-abbott

On March 28, 2014, the ABC's opinion site The Drum published a comment by Barrie Cassidy in which considered some of the political and practical ramifications of the reintroduction of Knights and Dames.
The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-28/cassidy-a-budget-looms-so-lets-talk-knights-and-bigots/5350266

On March 31, 2014, a comment by former Liberal Senator Amanda Vanstone was published in The Sydney Morning Herald.
Vanstone presents a range of criticisms of the reintroduction of Knights and Dames, focusing on the manner in which the decision was taken.
The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/comment/why-tony-abbotts-royal-finger-on-knights-and-dames-is-wrong-20140329-zqog7.html

On April 1, 2014, Quadrant Magazine published a comment by historian Keith Windschuttle in which he commented on the importance of British traditions to Australia, in part in the context of the reintroduction of Knights and Dames.
The full text of this comment can be accessed at http://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2014/05/libertys-heritage-squandered/

On April 1, 2014, The Morning Bulletin published a report titled 'No support for knights and dames from Sir Graham McCamley' which details the views of a current knight on the reinstated honours.
The full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/sir-graham-mccamley-doesnt-support-bringing-back-k/2215965/

On April 1, 2014, The Sydney Morning Herald published a comment by John Warhurst in which he considered the 'disrespect' Tony Abbott had shown his Cabinet by reintroducing Knights and Dames without consulting its members.
The full text of this comment can be accessed at http://www.smh.com.au/comment/prime-minister-tony-abbott-exercises-his-prerogative-over-knights-and-dames-20140402-zqpae.html

On April 15, 2014, The Canberra Times published a comment by Crispin Hull in which he argues that changes to the honours system should be made by the Australian federal Parliament rather than by Letters Patent.
The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/royal-honours-returning-we-are-not-amused-20140404-364d5.html

On April 18, 2014, the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy published a comment supporting the reintroduction of Knights and Dames.
The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.norepublic.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=63&Itemid=66

On April 19, 2014, The Washington Post a report and analysis on the Tony Abbott's decision to reintroduce Knights and Dames.
The full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/australia-brings-back-knights-and-dames-critics-call-them-a-royal-embarrassment/2014/04/18/af168028-c578-11e3-8b9a-8e0977a24aeb_story.html