"I take it on the chin but I do want to assure people that I have heard them and there will be considerably more consultation around these awards in the future," Abbott said at a press conference in Melbourne.
On Monday, Abbott announced his intention to grant Australian chivalry to British Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth's husband.
Abbott's move was ridiculed by the media, the public and even by his own party fellows. The country's opposition leader Bill Shorten dismissed Abbott's decision as "anachronistic" and called for an Australian republic.
The move has also resulted in speculations on whether his chief of staff Peta Credlin should resign.
"Abbott again. Tough to write, but if he won't replace top aide Peta Credlin she must do her patriotic duty and resign," media mogul Rupert Murdoch wrote on his Twitter account Wednesday.
Abbott again. Tough to write, but if he won't replace top aide Peta Credlin she must do her patriotic duty and resign. More
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) 28 января 2015
However, Abbott denied he consulted Credlin about the knighthood bestowal.
The knighthood award was reintroduced to the Order of Australia honors list in 2014, after almost 20 years.
