 John Kerr was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) on 1 January 1966 for services as President of the Law Council of Australia.This was done on the recommendation of the Australian Government, then led by Sir Robert Menzies.In 1972, the Prime Minister William McMahon had recommended Kerr for a promotion within the order to Knight Commander (KCMG), to be announced in the 1973 New Year's Honours.