The Australian War Memorial is one of this country’s most sacred national institutions.

The Memorial's purpose is to "commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict."

Mr Aziz “Greg” Melick was appointed to the Memorial Council in March 2015.

The Australian War Memorial Act 1980 states that the Governor-General “may terminate the appointment of an appointed member by reason of the misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity of that member.”

On 23 March 2021 Mr Melick launched a vile, slanderous attack on deceased Australian veteran David Finney and his mother Julie-Ann Finney, writing to an elected official from the Returned and Services League:

“Julia [sic] Finney has done immense damage to the cause to assuage her guilt over her failed relationship with her son and many families who did not want massive public exposure will now suffer significant trauma. … This is yet another example of base ignorance and prejudice holding sway over logic and reason.”

David Finney’s distinguished 20-year career in the Royal Australian Navy included extensive service in conflict zones and humanitarian operations.

Since David’s death in 2019 from injuries he sustained during his service, his mother Julie-Ann Finney has tirelessly lobbied the federal government for improvements to the welfare of Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans and their families.

Julie-Ann’s petition for the Prime Minister to initiate a Royal Commission into the unacceptably high rate of veteran suicides now has more than 400,000 signatures. The petition is supported unanimously by both houses of Federal Parliament.

Mr Melick’s vile, slanderous attack on the Finney family warrants his immediate termination from the Council for misbehaviour under the Australian War Memorial Act 1980.