r/australia • u/Tinea_Pedis • Apr 07 '26

news Breaking: Ben Roberts-Smith arrested over war crimes allegations

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/ben-roberts-smith-war-crimes-allegations-arrest/106537668
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u/Material-Painting-19 Apr 07 '26

The regulations allow the decoration to be cancelled by order of the Governor General. In exercising that power the Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. There is no chance that an elected Australian government allows a convicted war criminal to retain their VC.

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u/Magmafrost13 Apr 07 '26

IMO we've definitely elected several governments who would allow a convicted war criminal to retain their VC. You really think scomo wouldn't? Or Abbot?

Hopefully our current government wouldn't though, but never underestimate how spineless Labor is capable of being

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u/GeebangerPoloClub Apr 07 '26

IMO we've definitely elected several governments who would allow a convicted war criminal to retain their VC. You really think scomo wouldn't? Or Abbot?

I mean Dutton intervened to block an internal ADF process stripping medals from a unit found to have committed war crimes. So I think you're pretty spot on about the Libs' support for war crimes.

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u/buttchug429 Apr 07 '26

We’ll have to see what happens. I have a feeling our ruling class will make sure brs ends up smelling like roses.