Australian Prime Minister Abbott honours Prince Philip with knighthood

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott marked his country's national day yesterday by honouring Britain's Prince Philip with a knighthood, sparking criticism from his political opposition of being in a "time warp".

Abbott said Queen Elizabeth had accepted his recommendation that her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, be awarded the nation's highest honour as a Knight of the Order of Australia.

"This honour recognises the contribution of the Duke of Edinburgh to Australia throughout the Queen's 62-year reign," the conservative leader and keen monarchist said in a statement.

"Prince Philip's long life of service and dedication should be honoured by Australia," he said, adding that Prince Philip's son Charles, the Prince of Wales, was appointed a Knight of the Order of Australia in 1981.

Abbott reintroduced knights and dames to the country's honours list last year, prompting ridicule from opposition Labor lawmakers who said that it was proof the prime minister was behind the times.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said yesterday's decision was out of step with the mainstream in Australia.

"I think that on Australia Day - where we're talking about Australia, Australian identity - the government's managed to find a British royal to give a medal to, a knighthood to," he had told Fairfax radio.