The Australian Premier, Julia Gillard who is on a diplomatic visit to India had been in the headlines not for her Nuclear diplomacy, the sole purpose of her visit. On the other hand she had been in the news for the coveted award that she announced in honor of the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. He was to be conferred with the membership of the Order of Australia, an honor "rarely" awarded to non-Australians. Minister Simon Crean shall present the honor to the cricketer as he reaches back from South Africa. Sachin is playing for the Mumbai Indians at the Champions league T20 tournament.

However not everyone seems to be happy with this decision. An Australian MP representing the Federal Independent party, Rob Oakshott felt that the coveted award must not be utilized for inter country relationships. He added that an Australia-India award could be announced to honor the stalwart of the game. In his reference the MP had stated that there was indeed no doubt over the legend's supremacy over the game. But this award was for the natives and using this otherwise was not so good. He also maintained that he would not brag much about the issue, it was just a suggestion.

The rarest fete in the history of cricket by Sachin was claiming hundred hundreds including 15,533 runs in 190 Tests besides a mammoth 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs. He was the master of records and this earned him the coveted membership. Earlier West Indies batting prowess Brian Lara was honored with this award, in 2009. However much earlier in 1985 another West Indies stalwart, Clive Lloyd was conferred with Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia.

As per the records none had ever opposed the issue then but now Mr Rob Oakshott has dampened the spirits of the master's fans with his remarks, in spite of his avid admiration for the legend. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)