<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Australia’s Department of Defense has reversed course on a call to strip a veteran’s medals, calling the move an “incorrect decision”.
Tod Sheaves was among the crew members awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) in 2013 for providing humanitarian assistance and transporting weapons to East Timor throughout 2000 aboard HMAS Maroona.
The naval vessel was part of a deployment of Australian troops in 2000 who toured the country, now known as Timor Leste, to provide military support after violence and civil unrest erupted.
Tod Sheaves (pictured), who served on HMAS Maroona in Timor Leste, has been told he must return his AASM after a court ordered veterans who served on the ship to return the medals.
Mr. Sheaves was among the veterans who served during the deployment and who proudly wore the medals for more than a decade.
However, the Defense Honors and Awards Appeals Tribunal recently made the decision to withdraw this award from the crew members.
The medals were ordered to be returned because they were technically “not assigned to the original task force or operation”, as they had been brought back on “short notice”.
Crew members whose medals were removed were informed in a letter that they were not to wear “the medal, THE “the associated ribbon and return of service badge” until Mr. Marles ruled on the matter.
Veterans and members of the defense community have criticized the “reprehensible” decision, ahead of Anzac Day commemorations and called on Defense Minister Richard Marles for an immediate response.
Now, in a stunning turn of events, the Defense Ministry has revoked the court’s decision.
“The Minister for Defense Personnel is aware of the Tribunal’s recommendation and has not accepted it,” a Defense spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
“A letter was sent by Defense to an affected veteran providing incorrect information.”
Sheaves told Ben Fordham 2 GB On Thursday, he welcomed the decision being overturned.
He said the decision to strip medals from soldiers who served during deployment was disrespectful to veterans.
“It’s a bit of a slap in the face to the veterans who got the medal,” he said.
More than 200 soldiers who served on HMAS Manoora are still waiting to receive their AASM.
Phillip Thompson, the shadow junior defense minister, told the program the government had taken too long to resolve the issue after bringing the matter to their attention.
“I shouldn’t kick them in Parliament to make them do the right thing, it’s shameful,” he said.
Mr Sheaves (pictured) welcomed the decision to revoke the original decision made to reclaim the award after the Government said the “incorrect decision” had been made previously.
The court’s decision to deny the remaining crew members was intended to “protect the integrity of the defense honors and awards system.”
The decision comes as families and friends of diggers who took their own lives tell their heartbreaking stories to the Royal Commission into Veteran Defense and Suicide.
The Commission, which began its work on July 8, 2021, considered submissions and hearings on the case, with final conclusions due on September 9, 2024.
An interim report published in August 2022 contained 13 recommendations.
“The prevalence of suicide and suicidal tendencies among serving and former members of the Australian Defense Force is something that should concern us all,” the interim report said.
“Every death by suicide, every life lost has profound impacts on family, friends, colleagues and the broader community.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Marles’ office for comment.