According to a source close to the committee, and who spoke on the condition of anonymity, committee members were surprised when the Attorney-General took literally his ''ex-officio'' membership and chose to attend in person and to engage in active discussion of individual award recommendations. Mr Brandis attended on the first day of the council's twice-yearly meeting and then had another representative attend on the second day, parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister, Josh Frydenberg.

Australian honours such as the top-ranking Companion of the Order of Australia, are awarded each year on Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday public holiday, which this year falls on June 9.

According to the source, the attendance of any politician at the committee, which considers information in the utmost secrecy and how to officially recognise outstanding contributions of Australians, is uncommon, but it was the active involvement in discussions by Senator Brandis that concerned some members.

Fairfax Media has been told that at least two committee members were surprised at what appeared to be political interference. ''Influence was exerted in the sense that recommendations were changed,'' said the source.

Australian awards are universally recognised as being above politics and for being completely removed from any suggestion of favouritism by the government of the day.