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When former rebel MP Judi Moylan departed the party room after railing against Liberal policies, less daring colleagues often approached her in solidarity.
Ms Moylan had invariably just tried to prick her party's conscience over its stance on asylum seekers, abortion rights or welfare payments, but few cheerleaders had outwardly joined her.
Afterwards however, "some people would come up to me and say 'you were right about that' – they were prepared to be a sympathetic ear but they weren't prepared to speak out themselves," Ms Moylan said.
"I sort of understood why – it puts them at odds with their colleagues and it's an uncomfortable situation to be in.
"[But] we are there to try and forge a future for the people of this country and we need to make sure we are diligent in the pursuit of that objective."
Ms Moylan has been appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list – acknowledged for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia and the community of Western Australia, including the promotion of the status of women and advocacy for those with diabetes.
The former Howard government minister and Member for Pearce departed Parliament in 2013. Of the government's asylum seeker policies she says: "I still think it's a terrible folly to keep people in offshore centres, particularly women."
Ms Moylan was the founding chair of the Parliamentary Diabetes Support Group, and is currently chair and president of Diabetes Australia and a board member of Oxfam Australia.
Former senior public servant Ian Watt has received the highest award – appointed Companion of the Order of Australia.
Dr Watt is a former secretary of several federal departments including Prime Minister and Cabinet and Defence, and is now a director of several boards including Citigroup and The Grattan Institute.
He was recognised for eminent service to the community through public sector leadership and administration, innovative and effective governance, program delivery and policy reform, and for the promotion of workplace diversity.
Others appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia include News Corp journalist Greg Sheridan, indigenous advocate and former ALP national president Warren Mundine and former Liberal senator Kay Patterson.
Former federal Liberal MP Peter Lindsay was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Parliament and the community of Townsville.
