Senate orders Federal Government to provide documents on Teddy Sheean Victoria Cross decision

When asked why he had ordered another review instead of accepting a recommendation to award Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean a Victoria Cross, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he “has to set a very high bar”.

Dale Marsh's painting of Teddy Sheean, who strapped himself to his gun and fired until the HMAS Armadale sank, giving others time to get away. Picture: AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

THE Senate has ordered the Federal Government to provide documents relating to a recommendation to award Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean a Victoria Cross.

A motion brought by Tasmanian Labor Senators and independent Senator Jacqui Lambie was passed, having ordered the tabling of documents relating to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision to reject the recommendation of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal.

Senator Anne Urquhart said this meant the Government must table the documents by Wednesday next week.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, June 11, 2020. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

The Senate also yesterday passed a motion calling on the PM to uphold the DHAAT’s recommendation and immediately recommend to the Queen that Sheean be posthumously awarded a VC.

Earlier, the PM was forced in Parliament to defend his decision to order a fresh review on whether Tasmanian war hero Teddy Sheean should receive a posthumous Victoria Cross.

On Wednesday, the PM announced an expert panel led by former Australian War Memorial director and former Defence Minister Brendan Nelson — who spent many years in Tasmania — would be set up to determine if there was new and compelling evidence to grant Sheean the honour.

During Question Time, Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese yesterday asked Mr Morrison why he had ordered a “review of a review of a review of a review” instead of following the advice of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, which last year recommended Sheean be awarded a VC.

EDITORIAL: Sheean’s sacrifice to be honoured fights another day 

Mr Morrison said when considering acts from 80 years ago, a “Prime Minister has to be very careful and has to set a very high bar”.

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

Brothers Thomas “Mick” Sheean and Edward “Teddy” Sheean.

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

Labor Lyons MP Brian Mitchell said Sheean’s bravery had exceeded the “high bar” required for a VC.

In a statement, Tasmania’s five Liberal Senators said they were in favour of the process for the panel to review the DHAAT’s recommendation.

They wrote to the PM last month urging him to uphold that recommendation.

Tasmania’s Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett, a key player in the push for Sheean to receive a VC, said he understood he would be invited to present to the panel.

Mr Barnett said he hoped the review would be the “last hurdle to ensure Teddy Sheean receives justice, and a VC”, but vowed to keep campaigning if that did not turn out to be the case.

Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory this week said the review gave the family renewed hope.

A spokesman for the PM said the panel would invite submissions and consult with parties as appropriate.

Mr Morrison has asked the panel to report back to him by July 31.