Australian 1970s tennis star Margaret Court, who was once ranked number one in the world, is set to be honored by induction as a Companion of the Order of Australia on Australia Day, this Tuesday, the 26th.
But the 78-year-old's more recent claim to fame is her denunciation of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, which has made her immanent reciept of the honor controversial Down Under.
Liberal Party Prime Minister Scott Morrison was eager to sidestep the issue, saying he had “no official knowledge” of the Australia Day honors process, after reports were leaked that Court would receive the nation’s highest award.
“I can’t comment on an award that’s done through an independent process that hasn’t been announced or I have no official knowledge of those,” the Prime Minister told media.
Opposition Labor Party Leader Anthony Albanese said in a
tweet that the decision had “nothing to do with tennis.”
"Margaret Court has already been honoured for her tennis prowess. She’s already an Officer of the Order of Australia.
I think it’s clear for everyone to see that making her a Companion of the Order of Australia has nothing to do with tennis."
Margaret Court has already been honoured for her tennis prowess. She’s already an Officer of the Order of Australia."
The state of Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews,
slammed the decision to honor her, saying he was “sick of talking about that person every summer."
"I don't want to give this person's disgraceful, bigoted views any oxygen," he tweeted.
"But when others insist on rewarding them with this country's highest honour – I think it's worth saying again:
Grand Slam wins don't give you some right to spew hatred and create division. Nothing does."
Green Party Senator Janet Rice also
condemned the decision, calling Court an “enemy” of Australian values.
"Reminder (because apparently we have to go over this every year): Margaret Court has said that being LGBTIQ+ is the work "of the devil". She’s compared homosexuality to Hitler. She is an enemy of the values Australians stand for and must not receive our highest honour," fumed Rice, whose anger is explained somewhat by her Twitter
profile, which notes that she identifies as "Queer."
But Labor Party member Patrick Gorman, a member of Parliament representing Perth,
suggested something constructive.
"Don’t get angry, get active. Nominate someone who *does* deserve an Order of Australia 🇦🇺" and he provided a link to the Governor General's office webpage, where citizens could nominate award recipients.
[FULL STORY
HERE]
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