Good morning,

Firstly, I would like to thank you all for signing and sharing the petition "Stop Margaret Court being awarded Companion of the Order of Australia." 

Over 2,800 of you have added your name, your voice to this petition. All of you coming together to hold our government to account for a glaring lack of standards in the selection of an individual being awarded Australia Day honours.

The petition has been lodged as part if a formal objection, both with Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and the Governor General, David Hurley.

What impact we'll have is unknown with the limited time frame given to gather signatures and to lodge the objection. I still remain hopeful. Hopeful that our voices will make a difference in this matter, if not for this fight, the next one.

The objection following was sent this morning via email.

 

"Dear Sir,
I am writing to you to formerly object to awarding Ms Court the Companion of Australia, on behalf of myself and the 2,842 individuals, to date, who have signed the change.org petition "Stop Margaret Court being awarded Companion of the Order of Australia", in the last 60 hours. The petition reads as follows.

"This Australia Day, 26 January 2021, Margaret Court is about to be given the highest honour of Australia, Ms Court will be appointed the Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) for her sporting success.

Ms Court has loudly expressed her bigotry towards the LGBTQ community. Her outspoken views on homosexuality, conversion therapy, same-sex marriage and transgender people is devisive and dangerous.

To award such an honour, to a person who has so little respect for the rights of her fellow Australians, would not only be disgraceful, but would be extremely damaging to the entire population of Australia, particularly those within and associated with the LGBTQ community.

Such vile, blind hatred for fellow Australians and each individuals basic rights should not be rewarded. 

Sign the petition and say this hate is not ok and show your support for the people in the LGBTQ community."

In addition to the petition, I would also like to draw your attention to the words and actions of Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo, awarded the prestigious OAM in 2016, for her work with the LGBTQ community.

"Upon seeing this news, I contacted the office of the Governor-General to give notice that I would be returning my medal as a protest against Court's award," she said.

By giving this promotion to her now, the council is sending a strong signal that discrimination and prejudice are not only tolerated but honoured in our Australian community.

As someone who has lived as a gay man and now as a transgender woman, I am aware of just how deeply hurtful Court's outbursts can be to my community."

Australians have an expectation that, recipients of these prestigious awards are held to the highest standards of ethical, moral and social behaviour.

It is our belief, Ms Court does not stand up to these expectations.

The supporters of the petition, along with myself and many Australians, strongly object to Ms Court being awarded the Companion of Australia.

Sincerely,
Susan McDonnell"

Should you wish to lodge a separate, personal objection, there is still time.

To lodge an objection, you can email honours@gg.gov.au 

Once again, thank you for standing up for what is right.

Susan