Malcolm Turnbull has gently mocked the return of knights and dames as a step that is in keeping with the honours system of esteemed republics such as Peru and Guatemala.

Speaking at a TV launch at Parliament House on Wednesday night, the Communications Minister and avowed republican told the crowd the move had merely taken Australia back to 1983, the last time that knights and dames were appointed and the year that Daryl Somers won the Gold Logie.

''Is it really so long ago?'' he asked.