Nephew of Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean disappointed by robocall on Victoria Cross push

Who is behind a phone poll which asks Tasmanians about the push for Teddy Sheean to be awarded a Victoria Cross remains a mystery. Here’s what the war hero’s family had to say about it >>

THE family of Teddy Sheean say they are disappointed the push for the Tasmanian war hero to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross has been caught up in a mysterious phone poll.

The robocall emerged on Tuesday night, asking Tasmanians for their views on the biggest issues in the state.

Among nine options, including health, education, jobs and the cost of living, respondents were asked if the honouring of Sheean with a VC was important to them.

Another question was posed about whether people were aware that the Federal Government had rejected a recommendation to grant the award.

The nephew of Teddy Sheean, Garry Ivory. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory voiced his displeasure about the poll and said Sheean’s heroic actions in 1942 spoke for themselves.

“I’m very disappointed. It shouldn’t have gone down this track,’’ he said.

“I just don’t think it’s a popularity poll. It’s something that’s already been looked at on its merits, and it came back with a unanimous decision from the [Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal] for a VC.

“Why does it have to go through a robopoll after all this?”

On Wednesday, the Federal Government was forced to deny it was behind the poll, after Senator Jacqui Lambie pointed the finger at it.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: AAP IMAGE/LUKAS COCH

The office of Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government did not commission the poll.

Federal Labor politicians including party leader Anthony Albanese and Franklin MP Julie Collins slammed the poll as “highly inappropriate”.

The poll was done by Mediareach, which confirmed it conducted the survey on Tuesday night, but would not comment further.

Political analyst Kevin Bonham said the Liberal Party in Tasmania had previously used Mediareach for internal polling, but the organiser of the survey remained a mystery.

Mr Ivory said he was now turning his attention to focus on an upcoming review of the case ordered last week by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The PM last week announced an expert panel would be set up to determine if there was new and compelling evidence to grant Sheean the honour.

Last month, the Federal Government rejected the recommendation of the DHAAT, which last year said Sheean should receive a VC.

Dale Marsh's painting of Teddy Sheean, who strapped himself to his gun and fired until the HMAS Armadale sank.

Sheean died in 1942 when HMAS Armidale was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese bombers in the Timor Sea.

The 18-year-old strapped himself to an anti-aircraft gun as the vessel went down, and is credited with saving the lives of many of his crewmates.