An attempt to remove David Morrison as the 2016 Australian of the Year has been comprehensively defeated in Federal Parliament with the Government, Opposition and the Greens voting against the move.

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie had urged the Government to "make a recommendation to remove General Morrison from Australian of the Year, and replace him with a person worthy of the title".

Her motion failed 52 votes to seven, with only One Nation senators and crossbenchers Derryn Hinch and David Leyonhjelm supporting Senator Lambie's move.

Earlier today the National Press Club in Canberra confirmed General Morrison has pulled out of a long-standing appearance at the National Press Club.

Last week the ABC revealed the damning contents of a confidential NSW Police report which showed the office of the former Army Chief knew of the so-called Jedi Council sex scandal 11 months before he went public with his now-famous speech condemning those involved.

According to the 120-page document, "the findings that the Chief of Army was not briefed in August 2012 are simply not supported".

The current Australlian of the Year has always maintained he only knew of the affair shortly before he made the allegations of vile online behaviour public.

The leaked report also detailed police frustrations with Defence for failing to cooperate with their investigations.

The National Press Club confirmed General Morrison cancelled his December 7 address last Friday, two days after the ABC revealed the contents of the NSW "Strike Force CIVET" report.

According to a club spokesman General Morrison will be undergoing surgery and can no longer appear.

Cate McGregor, a 2016 Australian of the Year finalist and former colleague to David Morrison, slammed her one time boss' move.

"The AOTY has cancelled his address at National Press Club. Simply a disgrace. Needed to front up," the former Army officer tweeted.

In 2013, General Morrison made global headlines when he delivered an ultimatum to those involved in the scandal on YouTube, saying he would be "ruthless in ridding the Army of people who cannot live up to its values".