Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, I'm sorry I laughed out loud then but, clearly, you did not hear a thing I said about what the Prime Minister has announced today. I utterly reject the premise of your question. I did not mislead the parliament. However, let me read out—you clearly did not listen to the answer before. The Prime Minister has announced today that:

Given there are different views on whether there is compelling new evidence about Sheean's actions in 1942, I have today commissioned an expert panel to provide me with advice as to whether the 2019 review … had any significant new evidence, not available to the previous reviews and otherwise …

The expert panel will be chaired by former Minister for Defence and former Director of the Australia War Memorial, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO, and will also comprise former Solicitor-General, Mr David Bennett AC QC, former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Peter Shergold AC, and Senior Curator and Historian at the NSW Anzac Memorial, Mr Brad Manera. The panel will report to me by 31 July 2020.