Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has tabled an unusual offer to two Liberal MPs

A Tasmanian senator has slammed a “bad decision” by the Prime Minister, and offered a left-field promise to two state MPs, should they show support for a call to award fallen war hero Teddy Sheean the Victoria Cross.

AN independent Tasmanian senator will pay for a “full billboard praising” Liberal party MPs if they show parliamentary support to “correct a bad decision”.

Senator Jacqui Lambie said Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision to not award the Victoria Cross to fallen Tasmanian war hero Edward “Teddy” Sheean was “absolutely disgusting” and one that showed a lack of leadership.

LAMBIE: TASSIE MPS HOLD THE POWER IN TEDDY’S VC BATTLE

The rejection by Mr Morrison, despite a military honours tribunal unanimously agreeing Sheean was a deserved VC recipient, has been touted as a potential election issue among political circles, and something Ms Lambie said she is “not mucking around” about.

“It’s in times like these that you need heroism but instead Scott Morrison has bent down for [Chief of Defence Force] Angus Campbell following his recommendation [against awarding Sheean the VC],” Ms Lambie said.

Jacqui Lambie has offered to pay for billboards, praising Tasmanian Liberal MPs, should they push to commend Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean. Picture Gary Ramage

Speaking on breakfast radio last week Mr Morrison said “there’s no doubt that the bravery and the story of Teddy Sheean is truly remarkable” – comments Ms Lambie said needed backing with action.

“There is no reason for Scott Morrison to reject the honour. Who is the leader of this country? Is it Morrison or is it Campbell?,” she said.

Ms Lambie said she planned to table a petition with more than 4000 signatures in the Senate calling on Parliamentarians to endorse calls for Sheean to be honoured with the VC.

She said should it reach the Lower House it would likely need Tasmanian Liberal MPs to support it.

“The Prime Minister only has a two seat majority in the House of Representatives, and if Bass MP Bridget Archer and Braddon MP Gavin Pearce threaten to cross the floor, Scott Morrison will be faced with either losing a vote or celebrating an Australian hero,” Ms Lambie said.

Studio portrait of the Sheean brothers of Lower Barrington, Tasmania, both Australian sailors serving on HMAS Derwent. On the left is H1646 Stoker Class II Thomas (Mick) Sheean and on the right is H1617 Ordinary Seaman (OS) Edward (Teddy) Sheean, RAN.

“And if they do, I promise that I will take out a full billboard praising them in their electorates.

“You don’t often see politicians paying for advertising promoting politicians other than themselves, but that’s what I’m absolutely prepared to do. Hold me to it.”

Ms Archer said a parliamentary vote on a military award appeared uncommon.

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“I ask Senator Lambie, what mechanism possibly exists in the parliament that would allow a vote on the conferring of a Victoria Cross to Teddy Sheean?” Ms Archer said.

“Notwithstanding that, the issue should be above politics. Unlike Senator Lambie, I am not interested in politicising this issue. Instead, I am focused on advocating on behalf of Teddy Sheean’s family to see him appropriately recognised for his actions.”

Labor member for Lyons Brian Mitchell said the best way to honour Sheean’s sacrifice would be for parliamentarians to stand united in recommending to the Queen that Sheean be awarded the VC.