James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lambie for raising the Australian of the Year Awards. The awards recognise outstanding Australians from across the community in a range of fields of endeavour. Nominations come from the community and finalists are selected by state and territory Australia Day Councils. The National Australia Day Council then independently selects the national winner, based on long-established criteria. Given the importance and prominence of their role, it is proper that every Australian of the Year is held to account for their actions and statements during their term. The government does not have the power to select, replace or remove any Australian of the Year. In any event, a new Australian of the Year for 2017 will be awarded in less than two months' time.