Tony Abbott has promised to consult more widely on future knighthoods, conceding his decision on Prince Philip has been a distraction for the federal and Queensland governments.

The prime minister has been ridiculed by his own Coalition party colleagues, the media and the public for his decision to award a knighthood to Prince Philip this week.

It has also fed into growing speculation he may not lead the Liberal Party to the next election.

“I take it on the chin but I do want to assure people that I have heard and there will be considerably more consultation around these awards in the future,” Abbott told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Abbott said it was his call and he had not consulted anyone – including his chief of staff Peta Credlin – other than the chairman of the awards council, Angus Houston, who was also given a knighthood, and Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.

The prime minister stood by the decision, saying the Duke of Edinburgh had been a “distinguished servant” of Australia.

But he admitted it had been a distraction for the government and the Liberal National Party which is campaigning for re-election in Queensland this Saturday.

“I do not want it further to distract,” Abbott said.

“That’s why we’re cracking on with the important business of government.”

To underline this point, Abbott met with domestic violence campaigner and new Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, whose son died at the hands of her husband, and announced a national plan to tackle domestic violence.

The premiers and chief ministers at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting will be asked to agree on nationally consistent and recognised domestic violence orders.

The prime minister said he also planned to hold a special COAG mid-year to deal with reforming the federation, based on the government’s white paper.

– AAP