Annastacia Palaszczuk earned the Companion of the Order of Australia for her work as Queensland Premier on education, multiculturalism, and public health, while eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant received the Public Service Medal for improving online safety.
Critics resurfaced the 2020 case of pregnant Kimberley Brown, denied entry to a Queensland hospital due to border closures, where one twin later died; former PM Scott Morrison called it unthinkable, and Craig Kelly accused Palaszczuk of petty politics.
Inman Grant faced backlash as a ‘censorship’ advocate, with clashes against Elon Musk over content takedowns and a US request for her testimony on free speech concerns.
The controversy highlights lingering divides on pandemic measures and digital regulation amid the 949-person honours list.
