Knights right royal farce on social media

The return of Knights and Dames has spawned hundreds of memes ridiculing Tony Abbott's return to an imperial past.

Social media was in gang-buster mode shortly after the prime minister on Tuesday announced he was restoring an honour not used in Australia for 30 years.

NSW Labor posted a black-and-white video mocking Mr Abbott's press conference, "cutting" to a 1950s audience listening to his words to the sound of crickets.

A clearly-delighted Labor senator Sam Dastyari used a late-night speech to parliament to make his point: "Hear ye, hear ye. My Lord, Lady, and Lieges".

His "Game of Tones" speech, referencing "Sir Anthony Abbott" and "Dame Gina Rinehart" and vowing to "stop the moats" has been viewed more than 6000 times.

On Twitter, a stream of references to the popular TV series Game of Thrones featured the prime minister's head superimposed over bad-guy, King Joffrey.

Other pictures of the PM had a pert caption: "Arise, Sir Pository of Wisdom", a take on his mis-speech during the 2013 election campaign.

His leader of the house wasn't spared either: a picture of Christopher Pyne wearing a jester's hat made the rounds, emblazoned with the words: "We'll need a court jester, of course".

Those less critical of the decision took a lighter take: "Jousting: Australia's new national sport".

Others put a positive spin: "Look this whole knighthood thing is about creating jobs, bringing back blacksmiths, squires, court jesters," @pointzeroone tweeted.

Some MPs already appear to be starting a shortlist of future candidates for high honour.

Liberal Steve Irons' suggestion that he would one day delight in seeing a "Dame Bronwyn Bishop" was met with surprise from many in the chamber.

The startled Speaker, who had been attempting to close off debate for the night, reacted not unlike many Australians that day: "Well, I'm a bit stunned".