“On behalf of all Australians, congratulations to all recipients. Each of these individuals are unique and their story deserves to be shared widely and celebrated,” the Governor-General said.

“Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation. There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.

“I am pleased that this list includes the highest ever percentage of women (44 per cent) recognised through the General Division of the Order of Australia. It is important that the Order of Australia represents the diversity and strength of Australia – for this to happen we need to ensure outstanding women, members of our multicultural community and First Nations people are nominated by their peers in the community. I am prioritising increasing awareness of and engagement with the Order of Australia amongst groups that have been historically underrepresented. We are seeing positive progress and I am determined that it continues.”

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The Law Council of Australia also congratulated Professor Anne Twomey for her inclusion in the list, among others, in a statement: 

"Professor Twomey has been an active member of the Law Council’s Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section’s Constitutional Law Committee for many years. She has contributed to better lawmaking in Australia through her invaluable contributions on constitutional law, electoral law, federalism, parliamentary procedure and practice and on matters relating to executive power.

 "Congratulations to Ms Kate Eastman SC for being awarded a Member of Australia (AM) in recognition of her significant service to the law, human rights, and to professional organisations. Kate Eastman SC has devoted much of her time to working towards a better legal profession, including on committees for the New South Wales Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia. She has been generous in sharing her expertise, her experience and her time contributing to the policy work of the Law Council.

 "Congratulations also to Ms Mary Walker in being a recipient of a Medal in the General Division (OAM) for her services to the law. Mary Walker has been at the forefront of alternative dispute resolution in Australia for the last 20 years. She is chair of the Law Council’s International Law Section and chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section."

Lawyers Weekly has compiled a list of recipients in the Queen’s birthday honours list, recognised for their services to the law.

COMPANION (AC) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Barbara Avalon Baker, Tasmania

For eminent service to the people of Tasmania through leading contributions to the law, to the judiciary and to the administration of justice, particularly in the area of family law, to professional legal organisations, and as a mentor and role model for young women, and as the 29th Governor appointed in Tasmania.

OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Professor Philip Geoffrey Alston, New York, US 10012

For distinguished service to the law, particularly in the area of international human rights, and to legal education.

The Honourable Patricia Anne Bergin SC, NSW 2062

For distinguished service to the law, and to the judiciary, to legal administration, and as a mentor and adviser.

Erika Elizabeth Feller, Victoria

For distinguished service to the international community, to the recognition and protection of human rights, and to refugee law.

Dr Ian Richard Freckelton QC, Victoria 3070

For distinguished service to the law, and to the legal profession, across fields including health, medicine and technology.

The Honourable Michael Patrick Grant, Darwin, NT

For distinguished service to the law, and to the judiciary, particularly as chief justice of the Northern Territory.

Professor Jane Alexandra McAdam, NSW 2069

For distinguished service to international refugee law, particularly to climate change and the displacement of people.

Professor Anne Frances Twomey, NSW

For distinguished service to the law, to legal education, and to public education on constitutional matters.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Brian James Boulton, Queensland 4152

For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, particularly to district courts.

Michael Ronald Brennan, ACT 2612

For significant service to the law, and to community organisations.

Katherine Louise Eastman, NSW

For significant service to the law, to human rights, and to professional organisations.

Judge Felicity Pia Hampel, Melbourne, Victoria

For significant service to the judiciary, to legal organisations, and to women.

Ian Leslie Gray, Victoria

For significant service to the law, and to Indigenous justice.

Rob Justin Hulls, Strathmore, Victoria 3041

For significant service to the people and Parliament of Victoria, and to the law.

Dr Andrew Brantley Lu Oam, Western Australia

For significant service to the visual and performing arts, to the law, and to legal education.

Peter Godfrey McMullin, Melbourne, Victoria

For significant service to business, to the law, and to the community.

Lolita Veronica Mohyla, South Australia

For significant service to architecture, and to construction law.

His honour Kerry John O'Brien, Queensland

For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary in Queensland.

The Honourable David James Porter, Tasmania

For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, in Tasmania.

Thomas Bernard Stodulka, Landsborough, Queensland

For significant service to the law, and to mediation and dispute resolution.

Susan Dorothy Woodward, Northcote, Victoria

For significant service to the not-for-profit sector, to fundraising, and to the law.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION

Group Captain Edward Allan Eather

For exceptional performance of duty to the Australian Defence Force in legal services.

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Carmel Arthur, Victoria

For service to the law.

Denis William Farrar, NSW

For service to the law.

John Richard Harry, Victoria

For service to the community, to rowing, and to the legal profession.

Matthew Thomas Hickey, Brisbane, Queensland

For service to music, and to the law.

Joplin Higgins, Scone NSW

For service to the law.

The late Mr William Rainsford Loughnan, formerly of Paradise Point Queensland

For service to agriculture, and to the law.

David Niven, Ormond, Victoria

For service to the law, and to consumer affairs.

Jillian Prior, Carlton, Victoria

For service to the law.

Liberty Sanger, Northcote, Victoria

For service to the law, and to the community.

Peter Clement Semmler QC, Bellevue Hill NSW

For service to the law.

Michael John Sweeney, Hawthorn Victoria

For service to the community, and to the law.

Mary Catherine Walker, NSW

For service to the law.

Colonel James Graham Waddell

For meritorious performance of duty as director of operations and security law and as director of army legal services for the Australian Defence Force.

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)

Anastasia (Anna) Harmer, ACT  

For outstanding public service to law reform, and through leading the Office of the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements.

Merrin Mason, Brunswick East, Victoria

For outstanding public service to law reform in Victoria.