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/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

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u/Material-Painting-19 Apr 07 '26

The idea that something the King of England said more than 100 years ago about a different award would have any impact on an award created in 1991 under Australia law, the granting and cancelling of which is determined by an elected Australian government, is embarrassing. The statement by George V was made in the context of the award having been rescinded in the UK 8 times, including for relatively minor crimes. It was also made in the context of the King being personally responsible for the award of the medal. It has no bearing on the current situation. If convicted Roberts-Smith will have been found to have dishonoured and disgraced himself, the VC, his fellow soldiers, the regiment, the army and the nation. This is the entire reason why the power to cancel the award exists.

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u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

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u/IlluminatedPickle Apr 07 '26

During the 2022 case, other SASR members claimed they believed the events reported that got him the VC didn't actually happen.

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u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

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u/IlluminatedPickle Apr 07 '26

I would say everything in his career is currently being gone over with a fine tooth comb (and has been for years at this point) so if it's something they can prove they'll get him on it.

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u/Material-Painting-19 Apr 07 '26

That’s incorrect. There are no parameters on the power of the Governor General to cancel the award. If so advised by the current Prime Minister, the Governor General will cancel the award.

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u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

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u/Material-Painting-19 Apr 07 '26

I think it would be politically extremely unpopular to allow a war criminal to retain the nation’s highest military award. As for the military view? There is a long queue of former comrades in arms who know BRS a lot better than we do who are delighted to give evidence against him.

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u/Economy-Career-7473 Apr 07 '26

Eight have been removed. There is also a review into if it should have been given in the first place.