Sydney - Prime Minister Tony Abbott faced criticism and ridicule on Tuesday over his decision to give the spouse of the British monarch Australia's highest civil honour.
Abbott bestowed the knighthood on Prince Phillip on Australia Day on Monday, which marks the arrival of British settlers on the continent in 1788.
“Prince Philip has been a great servant of Australia,” Abbott said. He also hailed Queen Elizabeth's 90-year-old husband for his wider contribution to the Commonwealth, the grouping of many of the countries that once were part of the British Empire.
A second knighthood was bestowed upon Australia's former defence force chief, Angus Houston.
Abbott is facing mounting criticism and ridicule in political circles and on social media over the honour for Phillip.
Many, including the leaders of the Labour and Green parties, questioned his judgement and failure to consult on the matter.
“It's a time warp where we're giving knighthoods to English royalty,” Bill Shorten, the Labour leader said on 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.”
Greens leader Christine Milne said on ABC television the move showed “a desperation for the old snobbery of the English” on Abbott's part.
The broadcaster quoted independent senator Nick Xenophon saying that since Philip had “every title under the sun”, an Australian knighthood “is a bit like giving Bill Gates an abacus”.
Abbott last week dismissed speculation over the future of his leadership as his ratings slump and rumours of a dwindling in the support among lawmakers in his Liberal Party swirl.
Sapa-dpa