The idea the decision on whether to award the late Teddy Sheean a Victoria Cross should be above politics is good in theory.
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Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff made sure to stress that point when asked about the growing furore on Sunday.
Yet that sounded a little hollow - laughable even - when you consider he first assured Tasmanians the premier had taken up the matter with the prime minister.
Not political? It's always been political.
Another state Liberal MP in Guy Barnett has been helping lead the campaign for the North-West war hero to receive the nation's highest award for bravery for years.
You would be naive to think politics did not play a part in the matter being reviewed more than once.
The rejection of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's recommendation that Ordinary Seaman Sheean should be awarded the VC is political too.
Still, we don't need politicians involved for there to be politics.
Without trying to devalue the feats of those so honoured, the reality is the awarding of such medals is, of course, subjective.
Inter-service rivalries, petty personal differences, the standing of the individuals concerned could all play a part in whether someone is recommended for an award.
Add to that the agendas of those in authority, and the different standards applied at different times by different people, it is not surprising that inconsistencies emerge.
While they were very different conflicts, it seems incongruous that three times as many VCs were awarded to Australians in World War I than in World War II.
In Sheean's case, such matters were decided by the British Admiralty, whereas for our other services the decisions were made here, in Australia.
There are examples too of British sailors awarded the VC for remarkably similar displays of self-sacrifice.
Many members of our armed forces have undoubtedly been overlooked for appropriate recognition of their deeds over the years.
Honouring the memory of one - like our own Teddy Sheean - would reinforce the message that we will never forget.