The selection process for the Order of Australia has come under scrutiny after awards were given to a controversial men's rights activist and an accused rapist.
and this week it was revealed that accused "stealth-rapist" Liang Joo Leow was also among the 1,099 recipients.
Sydney dermatologist and academic Dr Leow has been charged with raping a Victorian doctor, after he allegedly took his condom off without permission. Dr Leow has denied the allegation and was found not guilty.
CEO of Domestic Violence NSW Joanne Yates told SBS News the time had come to rethink how recipients of the Order of Australia honours were selected.
"We would hope that the Australian Awards and Honours Secretariat might take this opportunity to review its systems, including the referees reports it solicits and the means by which this occurs," she told SBS News.
Ms Yates said she was especially surprised at the selection of Ms Arndt, who has warned of a "rape crisis scare campaign" on universities and accused women of making up claims of domestic violence to get back at men.
The CEO questioned a process which awards someone like Ms Arndt over "far less high profile women, who tend to be community-based and who've worked tirelessly for decades supporting victims and survivors".
There are several levels of the Order of Australia. Source: The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
"[Regarding Dr Leow], I don't think if someone's accused of something it should bar them from an award but it seems obviously prudent to allow that process to take its course before you provide an honour," he said.
"It doesn't seem to be very well judged."
There was similar controversy last year, when .
How are the winners chosen?
Anyone can nominate a member of the community for an award in the Order of Australia by filling out an online form and providing referees.
The nominations are then "assessed" by the Honours and Awards Secretariat before they are "considered" by the 19-member Council for the Order of Australia and then approved by the Governor-General.
Governor-General David Hurley with Hugh Jackman after he was awarded the Order of Australia last year. Source: AAP
"While anyone can be nominated for an award, each nomination is researched and due diligence undertaken ahead of the Council for the Order of Australia considering whether the individual should receive an award," he said.
The spokesman said this process included "desktop research", contacting referees provided, contacting independently-sourced referees, and checking references and claims made by the referees "against publicly available information".
"While nominations are processed as quickly as possible this does not supersede the requirement to ensure that the council has as much relevant information as possible to inform a recommendation – nominations typically take around 12 months to reach council," he said.
"All Australians should be aware of the system … and have confidence in the integrity of the system."
The spokesman would not comment on the choice of Ms Arndt or Mr Leow.
The citation for Ms Arndt states she was chosen for her service to "the community as a social commentator and to gender equity through advocacy for men" and Dr Leow was chosen for his service to "medicine and to the community".
SBS News has contacted Ms Arndt and Dr Leow about their awards but has not received a reply.
Since original publication of this article, Dr Leow has been found not guilty of rape and procuring sexual penetration by fraud in the County Court of Victoria.
Bigger changes?
Dr Gruen said the recent controversies should spark far larger conversations about the Order of Australia.
Australia's current system of honours was created by the Whitlam government in 1975 but Dr Gruen said it remains too similar to the "the old knighthood system" it grew out of.
"It has far too much to do with how much status you've already got ... [It's about] seniority, power, privilege and patronage," Dr Gruen said.
It has far too much to do with how much status you've already got Nicholas Gruen
"There's a systematic selection in favour of people who just do their job, rather than go out of their way to do something selfless."
He instead advocated bravery awards, as they are "radically egalitarian" and "more objective".
"When you give an award, you're bestowing the honour of the community on someone, and that's a precious thing. So I would like to see these awards given more for things that are unique and things that are preferably selfless," he said.
"If people have done very well for themselves, I don't see any great need to give them an award."
Dr Gruen said he hoped Australia could "have a conversation about what kind of values we want honours to objectify. What do we want them to say about Australia and the people we want to honour in modern Australia?"
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
