FORMER deputy prime minister Tim Fischer is delighted his call to have World War I commander John Monash promoted from general to field marshal will be considered by Federal Parliament.
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Member for Indi Cathy McGowan will introduce a bill to the Lower House on Monday to posthumously elevate Jerilderie-raised Monash.
“It’s a big breakthrough and it means the Jerilderie Proposition is much closer to adoption,” Mr Fischer said.
That concept launched in 2008 urges the prime minister to approve the promotion of Monash to field marshal.
“People are realising that after the 11th November 1918 John Monash received no government awards at all, zero awards, and this is why there’s a big move to make this correction,” Mr Fischer said.
In April, the then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in London told Mr Fischer he did not support the elevation.
The former National Party leader returned to his Mudgegonga farm to plot his next move, only to have a draft bill proposing Monash’s promotion sent to him.
Mr Fischer would only say it came from “senior official circles”, but noted it differed little to the document that Ms McGowan will present on Monday.
He is optimistic the bill will be supported, saying Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Labor leader Bill Shorten and deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie were backers.
“It’s a matter for the parliament and there are some people who think you cannot interfere with history, to them I quote Josh Frydenberg who has said “this does not interfere with history, it’s the completion of history in relation to World War I’,” Mr Fischer said.
Due to a hospital stay for treatment for leukaemia Mr Fischer will not be able to sit in the House of Representatives gallery on Monday.
Ms McGowan said that Monash “was a crucial part of ensuring Australia’s freedom in World War I” and “promoting him to field marshal will ensure his efforts are duly acknowledged”.
If the bill was passed on Monday it could not be considered by the Senate until the week starting November 12, meaning the centenary of the end of World War I will pass without the change.