11th Jun 2020, 3:49 PM – Senate Motions - Sheean, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) - Provide advice to the Senate

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor), also on behalf of Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie (Jacqui Lambie Network), which means it succeeded.

Motion text

That—

(1) The Senate notes that:

(a) on 23 July 2019 the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal decided to recommend to the Minister for Defence Personnel that:

(i) the decision by the Chief of Navy to refuse to recommend the award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean in respect of his actions in HMAS Armidale during a Japanese aerial attack in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942 be set aside, and

(ii) the Minister recommend to the Sovereign that Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for the most conspicuous gallantry and a pre-eminent act of valour in the presence of the enemy in HMAS Armidale during a Japanese aerial attack in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942;

(b) the Prime Minister explained in part his rejection of the recommendations to ABC Tasmania on 26 May 2020 by saying "I have taken advice from Australia's military chiefs past and present in making this decision".

(2) There be laid on the table, by no later than noon on Wednesday 17 June 2020, by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, all copies of documents and correspondence, whether written letters or via email, referred to in the advice outlined in (1) (b) above, held by the Prime Minister or his department relating to the decision of the Prime Minister to reject the recommendation of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal decision in Barnett and the Department of Defence re: Sheean [2019] DHAAT 09 (23 July 2019).