What Do You Think: Decorated or Defamed?

Anzac Day, April 25, 2014, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith addressed the crowd at the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial. He was a national hero.

He is one of Australia’s top soldiers. He received the Victoria Cross, a medal for bravery, and a commendation for distinguished service. Three years before, he was named Australian of the Year. In late 2014, he became chair of the Australia Day Council. His job was to find the next Australians of the Year.

He stood tall and proud at over 2 meters. A former Prime Minister of Australia called him the "modern personification of the great Anzac tradition."

It might seem strange that a corporal received such high honours. Ben Roberts-Smith stayed a corporal. He chose to give up a higher rank to join the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in 2003.

For four years, from 2016 to 2020, the ADF's inspector-general led the Afghanistan Inquiry. The inquiry looked into "rumours and allegations" of war crimes involving special forces in Afghanistan. One of those soldiers was Roberts-Smith.

He is accused of killing or ordering the death of several unarmed, detained people. This happened in three incidents between 2009 and 2012. He allegedly kicked a handcuffed prisoner off a cliff and then ordered him shot dead.

The inquiry cost over $300 million. It found that most soldiers deployed to Afghanistan acted skillfully, effectively, and courageously. However, some rumours had merit.

Roberts-Smith filed a defamation suit against three big Australian newspapers. The case against the Sydney Morning Herald, the Melbourne Age, and the Canberra Times was called the “Trial of the Century."

During the trial, he faced accusations of punching and threatening a former lover. He warned her that if she betrayed him, he would “burn her house down.”

The court also found that Roberts-Smith concealed important evidence. He buried USB sticks with classified military files in a child's lunchbox in his backyard. The files were later handed to police investigators.

The court heard about a trembling teenager who was shot in the head by a soldier. Someone called it “the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” It also learned about junior soldiers ordered to kill unarmed prisoners in "blooding" rituals.

The findings were released on June 1, 2023, by Justice Anthony Besanko. He found that the media's claims of war crimes, like murder and bullying, were “substantially true.” Roberts-Smith’s defamation case was dismissed.

More than 20 serving and former SAS soldiers testified. They provided graphic first-hand accounts of alleged unlawful killings and prisoner abuse. Several of these key witnesses were granted indemnities to testify in court about events that took place between 2009 and 2012.

The inquiry found credible evidence of "throwdowns." This means weapons, grenades, or radios were placed on the bodies of those killed. The aim was to demonstrate that these individuals carried military gear and were real targets.

A Victoria Cross recipient was dramatically arrested at Sydney airport. He has five charges of war murder. They are for killing unarmed civilians while serving with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan.

He is the second person from the Australian Defence Force charged with war crimes under Australian law.

Troop deployments in overseas conflicts come with great costs. Those on the ground experience the brutality and horror of war firsthand. This serves as a strong reminder of the human cost of war. Especially now, the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and its people are escalating.

Many see it as straightforward, but Roberts-Smith has strong support. Australians from all walks of life are reaching out to offer help.

The bid to clear his name has already been a costly process. Legal costs for his defamation case exceeded $25 million. These were paid for by billionaire Kerry Stokes. Now he is up against the might of the government in a trial that may drag on for years and cost hundreds of millions.

Gina Reinhart, the richest person in Australia, questions why we invest so much time, money, and resources in criminal cases about SAS veterans who served our country.

The country is divided. Soldiers deployed overseas work hard for their country. They don’t have the same comforts and luxuries that we enjoy at home. On the contrary, they embody hardship, loyalty, and devotion to duty.

Some say he is a criminal and a murderer who should be stripped of all medals and acknowledgments.

Some ask, who are we to judge quick decisions made in combat like they’re made in everyday life? Where's the sense in putting military personnel through civilian court processes? These have no place on a battlefield.

What are your thoughts?

Till next time,

Calvin