Call me 'Your Magdesty': Magda Szubanski's reaction to Australia Day honour

Magda Szubanski somewhat bizarrely felt both guilty and sad when she learned she was to become an Officer of the Order of Australia.

The veteran comic - who jokes people will have to now address her as "Your Magdesty" - says she felt a bit guilty because the honour acknowledges her work campaigning for marriage equality as well as her long entertainment career.

Szubanski, who came out publicly in 2012, was a prominent advocate for the Yes campaign during 2017's postal vote on gay marriage.

She likens her efforts to America intervening late in the two world wars and "taking all the credit".

The Melbourne-raised Sydney woman - best known for roles in Babe and Kath & Kim - is nevertheless immensely proud.

"This is the peak of awards, the accumulation of everything I've done," Szubanski told reporters.

"My first thought was, 'God, I wish my parents were here.' Sadly, they're not."

Szubanski is part of a list featuring a number of high-powered women being lauded, including screen and stage legends Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue.

The 2019 list includes the highest number and proportion of women being honoured for their work across all aspects of Australian life, making up 37 per cent of recipients.

Labor is seeking public support to nominate more women to increase their representation on the Australia Day and Queen's Birthday honours lists, hoping to boost the number of women cited to 40 per cent by 2020.

Parity was achieved at the top tier this year, with 19 people appointed Companions of the Order of Australia (AC), including nine women.

This is Minogue's second honour, with the Melbourne-born popstar receiving an Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Prince Charles in 2017.