I congratulate former Prime Minister John Howard on his appointment as a member of the Order of Merit.
This high honour recognises Mr Howard's distinguished public service over many decades.
As our second longest serving Prime Minister and a parliamentarian of 33 years, Mr Howard devoted his life to Australia.
He led our nation through many difficult days including our grieving after the Port Arthur massacre, 9/11 and the Bali bombings. He led our nation through times of widespread and complex economic and social change.
While Australians will inevitably have a variety of views about the record of the Howard Government, Mr Howard rightly commands ongoing respect for his contribution to the nation.
Appointments to the Order of Merit are the gift of The Queen.
Mr Howard now joins a small number of distinguished Australians to receive this honour, including Sir Macfarlane Burnett, Lord Florey, Sir Sidney Nolan, Dame Joan Sutherland and Lord May of Oxford.