Cody Haywood Schaeffer, an esteemed recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), has plead guilty to five counts of common assault against teenage boys aged between 14 and 17. The actions he confessed to are deeply alarming: paying minors to be 'hogtied' and having their feet slapped with coat hangers, and, horrifyingly, placing duct tape over their eyes and mouths. These vulnerable children were met through his charitable work, a shocking betrayal of trust.

Schaeffer's actions are not only a breach of the law but a profound violation of the ethical standards that the Order of Australia represents. The Order is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement, and it is an honour that reflects the values of respect, integrity, and commitment to the community. Schaeffer's actions, by stark contrast, are reprehensible and fundamentally opposed to these values.

The public rightfully expects that those who hold such honours remain figures of positive influence and moral standing. To allow someone who exploits the vulnerable and breaks the law to maintain this honour undermines the Order's integrity and disrespects other recipients who have genuinely earned their acclaim through selfless contributions to society.

Revoking Schaeffer's Order of Australia Medal is not merely a punitive act but a necessary step to uphold the prestige and credibility of Australian honours. It sends a clear message that the highest recognitions of our nation cannot co-exist with such grievous misconduct.

Join us in calling upon the Governor-General to take immediate action and strip Cody Haywood Schaeffer of his Order of Australia Medal. Your support is crucial in maintaining the sanctity of our national honours and protecting the values they stand for. Please sign this petition to ensure that justice is served and the voice of the community is heard loud and clear.