The Chair of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, Mark Sullivan AO, has taken issue with statements by Defence Minister Senator Linda Reynolds about the review of recognition for Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) Sheean for his actions aboard the sinking HMAS Armidale during a Japanese aerial attack in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942.
Mr Sullivan said Senator Reynolds had incorrectly stated the facts in an answer to a question from Independent Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambe.
