PM Scott Morrison rejects bid to award VC to Teddy Sheean

He was the war hero who died strapping himself to an anti-aircraft gun defending his ship from Japanese air fire. But a decision to deny Teddy Sheean a Victoria Cross has not only split the Morrison Cabinet but threatens to make it an election issue.

• Albo: ‘It’s time Teddy’s sacrifice is recognised’
• Teddy Sheean: Finding a boy in the hero

A wounded Teddy Sheean tied himself to an anti-aircraft gun and died firing it at the Japanese to save his mates, who described seeing the cannon still shooting at the planes as the waves closed over the sinking ship.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison doesn’t think that’s “indisputable evidence” of bravery and personally intervened to overturn a recommendation to posthumously award a Victoria Cross to the teenage war hero.

Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean who died on board HMAS Armidale in December and is a leading contender for a retrospective Victoria Cross.

The move has angered several Cabinet ministers who disagree with the Government’s position to move to overrule a unanimous decision by an independent tribunal to award Australia's highest wartime honour to Sheean who died in 1942 defending HMAS Armidale off the coast of East Timor.

And this could end up as an election issue, with Labor promising to award a VC to the Tasmanian hero — a move that could swing several marginal seats in his old home state.

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The Sunday Telegraph understands at least six federal ministers have expressed frustration internally about the decision to overturn the Tribunal’s findings, including Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester. It is understood Mr Chester has privately warned colleagues about the potential political impacts of Mr Morrison’s decision.

Last year Mr Chester supported the findings of the Tribunal, which unanimously recommended Sheean receive the VC. As the relevant minister, Mr Chester then passed the report and his recommendation to the Prime Minister’s Office — where it was blocked.

But Mr Chester would not confirm whether he backed the PM’s decision to overrule the tribunal but acknowledged there was “ongoing debate” about recognition for Sheean.

“There is no debate about this: Teddy is an Australian war hero and his service to our nation was extraordinary,” he said.

Privately, a growing number of backbenchers are also angry about the decision, including several Tasmanian MPs who are increasingly concerned about holding on to marginal seats at the next election.

A painting hanging at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra depicting Edward Sheean on the HMAS Armidale shooting at attacking airplanes.

Last week, Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz said it was hard to understand the decision to reject the Tribunal findings. “One suspects Sheean’s heroism and sacrifice will live on in our folklore a lot longer than those that denied him a VC,” Mr Abetz said.

Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer said she would also be seeking further information as to why the decision was made, saying she was “hugely disappointed”.

And The Sunday Telegraph can exclusively reveal Labor will award the VC to Sheean if elected.

“Teddy Sheean deserves the Victoria Cross,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s time for the Australian Government to follow their lead and do the right thing in honour of a brave Australian.”

Teddy Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory told The Sunday Telegraph he is also willing to try and “bring the government down” over the issue by lobbying constituents to vote for any candidate that promises to award his uncle the VC.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Garry Ivory. Picture: Patrick Gee

“It’s been knocked back by the Prime Minister and I am gutted,” he said.

“If they don’t have a turn around they could feel it at the next election.”

“Everyone around the world knows what Teddy did but the Prime Minister and Defence Minister don’t agree.”

Mr Morrison said decisions like the Sheean case “should be left to the decision makers of the time” while also backing a 2013 Valour Inquiry into Teddy Sheean, which denied him a VC, describing it as “more comprehensive”.

He said there were “extreme practical difficulties” due to the amount of time that has passed, which makes retrospective recognition difficult and could damage the integrity of the Australian honours and awards system.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

“Overturning a decision like this nearly 80 years later would need compelling reasons but risks creating a two-tier system between the Victoria Cross for Australia and the Imperial Victoria Cross,” Mr Morrison said.

“Through the passage of time, it is no longer possible to be sure, without indisputable evidence, exactly what happened in the action in which Sheean was involved.”

Originally published as PM Scott Morrison rejects bid to award VC to Teddy Sheean