The Australian War Memorial has announced changes to its display for former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith in the wake of criminal proceedings brought forth by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Earlier this week, the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) arrested and charged the war hero with five counts of the war crime of murder, including the allegedly killing of Afghan civilians during his six tours to the country.
He has not yet entered a plea, but has consistently maintained his innocence, even suing Nine Newspapers for their investigative stories that first brought the claims to light.
In a statement issued on April 10, the Australian War Memorial explained its changes to Roberts-Smith’s display, which features his uniform.
“The memorial acknowledges media reports of the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG,” the statement read.
“Accordingly, the memorial will review the wording of the interpretive panel associated with his display.
“The display of his uniform, equipment and medals remains in place.”
The war memorial said it would continue to monitor developments in the case and may consider further updates as appropriate.
The wording now acknowledges the five charges of murder alleged against Roberts-Smith.
In September last year, the War Memorial announced it would change the wording of an interpretive panel next to Roberts-Smith’s display to “add further context to Robert-Smith’s service and legal matters” following his failed defamation proceedings against the Nine Newspapers outlets, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Roberts-Smith’s uniform was left on display because it was the one he wore when he earned the Victoria Cross.
One of Roberts-Smith’s actions was to personally storm two enemy machine-gun nests that had pinned down his patrol in the Afghan village of Tizak in 2010, eliminating all targets.
MP Calls for Fair Trial, As Arrest Divides
The War Memorial update comes as Albanese government Assistant Minister Julian Hill said the charges against Roberts-Smith were significant, and that he should be extended a fair trial.
“Not just because he’s a decorated war veteran, that’s actually separate,” he said.
“It’s because he’s an Australian citizen and it’s for that reason to reserve his right to a fair trial and his presumption of innocence that it’s really important that political leaders and media commentators and others are very careful with their words.
“This is not a football match, it’s a criminal proceeding and we need to extend to him those courtesies that apply to everyone.”
Hill said the case was also a reminder that there were laws at war.
“These accusations … shouldn’t be allowed to tarnish the reputations of the vast majority of those who serve our country with distinction in uniform.”
Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart also publicly spoke about the case warning it could undermine the morale of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“I don’t understand how it can be justified to spend more than AU$300 million [the estimated budget of the OSI] to try for years to bring SAS veterans, who have served our country, towards criminal proceedings, and most recently the arrest of Ben,” she said in a statement.
“Have we lost sight of the fact that in our inadequately defended country, facing uncertain times, the morale of our defence force has already been brought to its lowest ebb since inception, our defence personnel numbers are inadequate, and recruitment is suffering.”
A future trial date is yet to be set.
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