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Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans Affairs Darren Chester has announced the appointment of Stephen Skehill as chair of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, taking over the reins from Mark Sullivan AO.
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Minister Chester said Skehill was well qualified for the role, being a former secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and the inaugural principal member of the Veterans’ Review Board.
"I congratulate Mr Skehill on his appointment and know that his experience as an administrative lawyer, as well as his wealth of public and private sector experience will be of great benefit to the Tribunal," Minister Chester said.
Skehill will take over from Mark Sullivan AO, who served as chair of the tribunal since 2014, reaching the maximum allowed tenure in November 2020.
Minister Chester added, "I would like to acknowledge the diligent and considerate approach taken by the tribunal under Mr Sullivan’s leadership. During this time, the tribunal resolved a number of longstanding and complex issues relating to collective and individual service from the Second World War to contemporary operations."
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal is an independent statutory body established under the Defence Act to consider Defence honours and awards matters.
Individuals are able to apply to the tribunal for an independent review of a decision of the Department of Defence regarding eligibility for a Defence honour, Defence award or a foreign award.
The government is also able to refer general eligibility issues to the tribunal for inquiry and recommendation.
