Hanson Vows Support for Roberts-Smith
Pauline Hanson publicly defended Ben Roberts-Smith after his arrest at Sydney Airport on Tuesday. Federal Police said they intend to charge him with five counts of the war crime of murder. The alleged incidents relate to Afghan nationals between 2009 and 2012.
Hanson Vows Support for Roberts-Smith was reflected in her social media response on X. She called for public backing for Roberts-Smith and his family.
Ms Hanson wrote, “I remain steadfast in my support of Ben Roberts-Smith despite news of his arrest today.” She added he was disgracefully arrested in front of his twin 15-year-old girls.
Legal background and standards
In 2023 Justice Anthony Besanko dismissed Roberts-Smith’s defamation action against Fairfax newspapers. Besanko found, on the civil balance of probabilities, that Roberts-Smith was involved in the murder of four unarmed Afghan men.
Justin Quill, a partner at Thomson Geer, cautioned that the defamation ruling used the civil standard. He noted criminal courts must decide matters beyond reasonable doubt, so outcomes could differ.
Reactions from politicians and lawyers
Greens senator David Shoebridge posted a screenshot of reporting about the arrests and wrote, “Good.” Mr Quill said the new charges were not entirely surprising given the 2023 ruling.
He described the development as a spectacular fall from grace. Quill called the matter unprecedented in its context and size in Australia.
Related cases and timeline
Another soldier, Oliver Schulz, was charged in 2023 with the war crime of murder. Helmet-cam footage published by the ABC reportedly showed the 2012 shooting death of Dad Mohammad.
Schulz pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court in October. He is not expected to stand trial until 2027.
What comes next
There was a six-month gap between Roberts-Smith’s final legal challenge and Tuesday’s arrest. Mr Quill suggested this gap may mean the Australian Federal Police obtained evidence not previously before the courts.
The case will now proceed through criminal processes under the higher proof standard. Filmogaz.com will monitor further developments and report updates as they emerge.
