Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer says he’s “disappointed” the Turnbull government rejected a push to have Australian war hero Sir John Monash posthumously promoted.

The government has sided with military leaders who lobbied against the promotion which would see Monash elevated to the rank of field marshal, the highest rank in the Australian Army.

Mr Fischer led the campaign alongside supporters who believe the commander’s role in World War I has never properly been recognised.

He tells Chris Smith he’s “disappointed, but galvanised”.

“In 2013 Malcolm Turnbull said he’d fully support [the promotion].”

See the extract from the Prime Minister’s 2013 speech transcript… from his own website:

Listen to the full interview below