In Australia’s divided media landscape,coverage of the defamation decision of the year was much more uneven than among overseas outlets.
Witnesses who took the stand in the defamation trial were badly rattled by the cross-examination that questioned their stories.
The defence minister will not commit to a review of Ben Roberts-Smith’s Victoria Cross,but Michael McCormack,former assistant minister for defence,said he should keep the medal in perpetuity.
‘Every day they were on our shoulders. They destroyed the dignity of all Pashtuns,’ says the father of Dad Mohammad,who was killed by an Australian soldier,allegedly illegally.
Police have submitted fresh evidence against the now-disgraced war hero as a number of those closest to him have now provided proof of his attempts to cover up his murders in Afghanistan.
The document in Kerry Stokes’ hand cast a shadow over Ben Roberts-Smith. Precisely what the media mogul hoped to achieve by approaching one of Australia’s most influential military men in 2017 is unclear,but it was the start of a campaign.
Our memorials should be unafraid to tell Australians the unvarnished truth:that one of our greatest war heroes is also one of our greatest war criminals.
The judge’s decision in the defamation case may well help diggers in future wars;a different decision would have made their job more difficult.
As a media boss,Kerry Stokes should be backing journalism rather than aiding and abetting a war criminal.
The museum said it would not remove the exhibits but instead seek ways to add context.
The Ben Roberts-Smith trial could not explore the full role of officers but it did provide important insights.