The letter, featuring a photograph of General Monash, sets out principles such as the withdrawal of subsidies for renewable energy and the advantage of new generation of “low-emission” coal-fired power stations.

The reason given for the use of the Monash name is his role in leading the development of the brown coal fields of the Latrobe Valley in Victoria after he had led the Australian forces in World War One.

But the use of his name is controversial because it appropriates a military leader for a partisan cause, just as Australia marks the centenary of his victories on the Western Front.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is due to open a new museum, the John Monash Centre, near the village of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day.

Mr Dick said the role of General Monash in opening up the Latrobe Valley did not justify the use of his name, adding that the politicians should rename their group.

“It would be the right thing to do,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s right that they use his name, especially with Anzac Day coming up and the John Monash Centre being opened in France.”

But there is disagreement over the use of the name, with the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations noting that it was increasingly common for a military name being used in other fields.

“I see nothing wrong with it because there are so many things today that are named after John Monash,” said Kel Ryan, the national spokesman for the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations.