Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Minister Reynolds. In July 1940, the mortally wounded Leading Seaman Jack Mantle trained his weapon on a swarm of Nazi Junkers attacking HMSFoylebank. Jack Mantle was awarded the Victoria Cross. Two years later, HMAS Armidale was hit by Japanese aircraft and began to sink rapidly. Eighteen-year-old Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean was wounded during the attack. But, rather than flee, he strapped himself to his anti-aircraft cannon and opened fire. That decision to tie his fate to a gun sinking to the bottom of the ocean brought down two planes and helped save the lives of 49 crew. You have the power to recommend Teddy for Australia's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross. Our question from Tasmania is this: what more could Teddy Sheean have possibly done to earn a Victoria Cross?