The Council of the Order of Australia is calling for more nominations of women to be included in future Order of Australia’s annual Australia Day Honours lists.
The Council has issued a statement congratulating this year’s 680 Australians recognised in the list after their recommendation to the Governor-General, saying it’s the highest number since Australia Day 2024.
This year’s recipients come from all parts of the country, the Council says, with ‘remarkable’ service, achievements and impact.
‘All are deserving of recognition through our nation’s honours system for their service to the Australian community,’ the Council’s statement reads.
‘It is particularly pleasing to note the significant number of people being recognised with the highest meritorious award in the system, the Companion of the Order of Australia – and on this occasion an equal representation between women and men,’ the Council says.
But the gender balance of this year’s honours list ‘more broadly is both a cause for concern and, the Council hopes, a prompt for community action,’ the statement reads.
Regression in gender balance noted in recent years
The Council says it has considered an even gender balance of nominations in previous years but that, over time, there has been a ‘significantly larger pool of nominations for men left to be considered’.
‘Many more nominations are still being received for men than women and the Council must consider the nominations for Australians that are in the system,’ the Council says.
‘There is no doubt there are as many outstanding women contributing to our communities as there are men – the fact an equal number of women and men have been appointed Companions of the Order in this list underlines that.
‘The Council would like to see this balance reflected across all nominations and, therefore, outcomes at all levels of award.
‘We need Australians nominating outstanding women for recognition.’
Three referees needed for nominations
The Council says nominating is simple, via an online form, with help available.
‘Nominators need to provide information about the person they are nominating and three referees who can attest to the person’s service and impact,’ the Council says.
‘We encourage all Australians to look around their community, their workplaces, and the whole of our society, identify the women, as well as the men, who make a difference and whose impact is profound and nominate them so they can be celebrated through the Order of Australia.’
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