One of the worst people I’ve ever known has an Order of Australia medal.

It’s an award that goes to people who have provided service worthy of recognition. And while this individual might have technically ticked this box, they received the honour not for a contribution towards the good of the community, but for services that are essentially commercial and self-serving.

Bad appointments have the power to undermine the sanctity of the entire awards system.Credit: Peter Braig

Pondering the rights and wrongs of how these awards are distributed has led me down a jagged path. It’s a version of the Kübler-Ross model: there is bewilderment, then denial, then disbelief. Then, the urge to email the judging committee and ask, did you do your homework on this person? Then, the final stage, which could have been grim acceptance, as per Kübler-Ross. But I’ve decided to take a more lateral approach.

It’s not difficult to find information on how the awards are distributed. Anyone can nominate someone by........

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