A seven-week review of Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s case for a VC will be handed to the PM

The PM will today be handed the findings of a seven-week review into whether a Tasmanian war hero should be awarded the Victoria Cross – but a decision won’t be made public immediately.

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SCOTT Morrison will today be handed the findings of a seven-week review into whether Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean should be awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery.

A decision will not be made public immediately.

“The Government will consider the report and then release it in due course,” a spokeswoman from the Prime Minister’s office told The Mercury.

TEDDY SHEEAN REVIEW COSTS TAXPAYERS $4K A DAY

Garry Ivory, Teddy Sheean’s nephew, said he hoped a decision would be announced next week.

After more than three decades fighting for his uncle’s deeds in World War II to be recognised, Mr Ivory told the Mercury he could wait a few more days.

“I’ve learnt to be patient over the years,” he said

Gary Ivory, looks through the memorabilia of his great-uncle, Edward 'Teddy' Sheean, who was killed in 1942 after HMAS Armidale was attacked by Japanese warplanes in the Arafura Sea, en route to Timor. Sheean did not leave his post and his bravery was mentioned in dispatches. Ivory says that it is time to give his relative a VC, pictured at his home in Launceston, Tasmania.

“I don’t like rush decisions at the best of times anyway.”

Mr Ivory said he was “very hopeful” an independent panel led by former Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson would find his uncle should post-humously be given Australia’s highest military award for valour.

Mr Morrison established the review panel to determine whether there was compelling new evidence in a 2019 review by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeal Tribunal which showed Sheean should be awarded a VC.

He launched the latest review in July amid mounting public pressure and from within his own party after the Federal Government knocked back the tribunal’s recommendation in May.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean was an “extraordinary Australian”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

At the time, Mr Morrison said Sheean was an “extraordinary Australian” and the country would be “eternally grateful for his service, dedication and sacrifice” but overturning a decision relating to a Victoria Cross after nearly 80 years would need compelling reasons.

“The evidentiary standards for recommending the award of the Victoria Cross always have been, and always will be, the highest,” he said.

“This is even more so in the case of consideration of a potential historic award, where compelling new evidence must be identified.

“The Government will continue to apply this very high standard.”

It was revealed this week members of the panel were paid more than $30,000 each, or about almost $4500 a week, for their work.