Peacock made 'bird of paradise' chief

Andrew Peacock can now add the title "bird of paradise" to his colourful list of achievements.

The former federal Liberal leader, foreign minister and ambassador has been made a chief under Papua New Guinea's awards system in the country's independence day honours list.

Peacock, who as minister for external territories was responsible for PNG prior to the country adopting self-government in 1972, ahead of independence in 1975, has been appointed a Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu.

In PNG's Motu language Logohu means "bird of paradise".

The award entitles him to be called chief and was bestowed for his continuing promotion of goodwill between PNG and Australia and his particular contribution to PNG's peaceful transition to self-government and independence.

In last year's inaugural list in PNG's homegrown honours system, former prime minister Gough Whitlam was made a chief and current PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare became a grand chief under the Order of Logohu.

Whitlam was prime minister when PNG achieved independence and received the award for helping PNG attain sovereignty and setting in place a long-term development assistance program for the nation.

Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery, who served as an officer with PNG's Pacific Islands Regiment before independence, was also made an honorary chief last year for fostering close relations between PNG and Australia.

Among the other 141 award recipients in the weekend's 31st anniversary of independence honours list were former PNG chief justice Arnold Amet and Thomas Critchley, Australia's high commissioner to self-governing PNG before independence.

The Logohu awards do not preclude the long-standing honours system under which prominent persons in PNG are knighted or bestowed with honours by the Queen.