David Morrison's appointment as Australian of the Year has reinvigorated debate over the award committee's evolving selection process, which one former chairman has likened to the secretive papal conclave: "Lots of hot air then a puff of smoke." The title, inaugurated in 1961 to recognise Australia's top economic, scientific, cultural and arts leaders, has since expanded into four awards, with finalists chosen from a pool of eight candidates supplied by each state or territory. 
Since 1979 it has been awarded by the National Australia Day Council Board, presently chaired by Ben Roberts-Smith, who fought in Afghanistan while Mr Morrison was army's forces commander.
He is joined by public relations expert Robbie Sefton, lawyer Janet Whiting, bureaucrat Elizabeth Kelly, Jewish leader Norman Schueler, Wiradjuri leader James Glanville, academic Samina Yasmeen and doctor Susan Alberti.
The selection criteria for recipients require them to show "excellence in their field", a "significant contribution" to the nation and be an "inspirational role model". Other factors are the applicant's "future goals and likely impact" and their "availability and commitment to promote national pride and active citizenship" throughout the year.
Recognising national diversity, the committee may also consider gender, age, remote-ness, ethnicity and field of endeavour.
Candidates cannot nominate themselves and often have no input into which state they represent. Toowoomba-born Cate McGregor this year represented Queensland despite having left the state about 40 years ago while Mr Morrison, a native Queenslander with three sons still in Brisbane, represented the ACT.
Phillip Adams, who chaired the committee between 1992 and 1996, recalled the matter being debated over a secluded, two-day board meeting. "We would go into a conclave, there would be lots of hot air then a puff of smoke," he said in 2008.
Adelaide doctor Tony Cocchiaro, a board member between 2002 and 2007, said he witnessed a "good, fair process" and never felt any political pressure."We didn't want someone who would just look good. We wanted someone who had an agenda that we thought would do great things for the country," he said.