Scott Morrison ‘open to rethink’ on Teddy Sheean VC bar

Some Liberal MPs believe Scott Morrison may be open to a rethink on the decision to block a Victoria Cross for World War II hero Teddy Sheean.

Teddy Sheean. Picture: Garry Ivory

Some Liberal MPs believe Scott Morrison may be open to a rethink on the decision to block a Victoria Cross for World War II hero Teddy Sheean.

The Prime Minister told The Weekend Australian he could not accept a defence honours tribunal recommendation of a posthumous VC for the legendary Tasmanian, despite new evidence further elevating the scale of his bravery.

On December 1, 1942, an 18-year-old Sheean shunned the relative safety of a lifeboat to return to his gun aboard a sinking HMAS Armidale, firing on Japanese aircraft strafing his comrades in the water.

The Defence Honours and Awards Appeal Tribunal last year found Sheean’s actions — he was seen to keep firing even as he and the ship slipped below the surface of the Timor Sea — ­“exceeded” those of British seamen awarded VCs.

Mr Morrison said while Australia would “remain eternally grateful” for Sheean’s “service, dedication and sacrifice”, a 2013 Valour Inquiry that did not back a VC for him was “more comprehensive” than the 2019 review.

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

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein was in contact with Mr Morrison at the weekend and both men on Monday indicated they were open to further discussions. “The Tasmanian Liberal government has been a strong advocate for Teddy Sheean and we would like to see him receive the honour we believe he rightly deserves,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I have been in contact with the PM and our discussions are ongoing.”

Mr Morrison’s office said his position “hasn’t changed” but he “is always open to constructive discussions”.