To all our supporters,
Please see below the Hon. Ben Morton's response regarding Mr. Arthur Birch’s unsuccessful nomination for an Australian Bravery Decorations Award (QF72).
In the Australian honours system, the Australian Bravery Decorations are the highest civilian bravery honour. They recognise acts of bravery by members of the community who selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others. Nominations may be made for a brave act in Australia or for an act which, though done outside of Australia, merits recognition.
I am advised that, for the purposes of the decorations, a brave act differs from extreme fortitude shown in a crisis situation; bravery is a deliberate choice to remain in a perilous position, or to go from a place of safety to danger, in order to provide help.
I am aware that the QF72 pilots have been nominated for an Australian Bravery Decoration in the past and I have previously advised my understanding that the possibility of review or reconsideration by the Council would only occur where new evidence is able to be provided.
Hon Ben Morton MP - Assistant Minister to the Australian Prime Minister and Cabinet - 27.06.2020
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It is now quite evident that the Council will not make any further recommendations for any future nominations unless new evidence can be provided for a possibility of a review or reconsideration.
It is my view that the Council's decision is wrong and for them to continue to ask for new evidence 12 years on is a mockery of the most terrifying mid-air emergency in Australian aviation history where flight QF72's autopilot tried to kill all 315 people on board. They were only saved by the quick thinking of Qantas Captain Kevin 'Sully' Sullivan (Ret.). So why is the Council still refusing to give the QF72 crew the recommendation for a Bravery Decoration Award they deserve?
You would think that the ATSB Transport Safety report on 2008 Qantas Flight QF72 - Final would be sufficient enough evidence for the Council to review and confirm the recommendation. So why haven't they?
As a survivor and a witness of Qantas flight 72, I believe that the QF72 flight crew's heroic actions have far exceeded the criteria without question, and the reasons 'Why' are as follows.
On October 7, 2008, Qantas Captain Kevin ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Ret.), First Officer Peter Lipsett and Second Officer Ross Hales were up against a rogue computer (the enemy) that would force their aircraft with 315 passengers and crew onboard into two perilous situations.
Sullivan, a former Top Gun fighter pilot was in the fight of his life when there were clearly no other options available to him but to draw upon his military skills that would prove crucial in stopping an out of control aircraft from plunging into the Indian Ocean (twice) and bringing the aircraft back to a place of Safety (twice).
It was here that Sullivan's timing and execution of the military manourvre that would enable him to let go of the stick (twice) whilst the aircraft was in the first of two death dives towards the Indian Ocean that would eventually save all 315 lives. Through the grace of God Almighty, we were extremely fortunate that we were at an altitude high enough for Sullivan to execute these manourvres in time.
Furthermore, the flight crew’s remarkable abilities to remain calm and not panic from the first death dive until the aircraft landed safely at Learmonth Air Force base clearly showed great skill and Courage, displaying mental toughness and perseverance in what were difficult and dangerous situations thus, proving that their quick-thinking decisions were the correct ones is ‘beyond belief’.
In conclusion, I believe that the heroic and brave actions of Sullivan, Lipsett, and Hales, have contributed significantly to the Safety of Aviation worldwide and should be publicly acknowledged and recognised without any further delay.
Award Recommendations
1. The Qantas Chairman's Diamond Award - Awarded for Valour and/or selflessness so extraordinary, that the reputation of the airline has been enhanced in the eyes of other Qantas staff and the Australian public.
2. The Cross of Valour (CV) - is awarded only for acts of conspicuous Courage in circumstances of extreme peril. It is the highest Australian Bravery Decoration and the highest civilian Bravery award in Australia.
NB: If the definition of bravery is the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty, then why does the QF72 not match this definition?
Captain Kevin ‘Sully’ Sullivan, First Officer Peter Lipsett, and Second Officer Ross Hales clearly faced danger, fear, and difficulty to land that plane!
TOGETHER WE SHALL OVERCOME! ✊
Fuzzy Maiava
TEAM SULLIVAN
PS. I invite you all to please comment below if you agree or disagree. All feedback is welcomed. Thank you.
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