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Ben Roberts-Smith

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Ben Roberts-Smith
Roberts-Smith in 2015
Born (1978-11-01) 1 November 1978 (age 46)
Perth, Western Australia
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branchAustralian Army (1996–2013)
Australian Army Reserve (2013–2015)
Years of service1996–2015
RankCorporal
Unit3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1997–2003)
Special Air Service Regiment (2003–13)
Battles / warsInternational Force East Timor
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsVictoria Cross for Australia
Medal for Gallantry
Commendation for Distinguished Service
Spouse(s)
  • Emma Groom
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2003; div. 2020)​
Relations
Other workgeneral manager Seven Queensland (since 2015)

Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC, MG (born 1 November 1978) is an Australian businessman, former Australian Army soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC), the highest award in the Australian honours system.[1] The VC in 2011, together with his Medal for Gallantry (MG) awarded in 2006, made Roberts-Smith the most highly decorated serving member of the Australian Defence Force.[2] He was also awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership as a patrol commander in 2012.

Roberts-Smith left the full-time army in 2013 and studied business at the University of Queensland. In 2015, he was appointed deputy general manager of the regional television network Seven Queensland. He was subsequently promoted to general manager of the regional network and of metropolitan station Seven Brisbane.

In 2017, Roberts-Smith's actions in Afghanistan came under scrutiny in light of an independent inquiry into "questions of unlawful conduct concerning (Australia's) Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan".[3]: 5  Since June 2018, Roberts-Smith has been the subject of a war crimes investigation by the Australian Federal Police.[4] In August 2018, Roberts-Smith, with assistance from a legal team hired by Seven Network owner Kerry Stokes, commenced defamation proceedings against Nine Entertainment publications The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, and also named each of the three journalists involved in reporting alleged incidents.[5] The trial commenced in June 2021 in the Federal Court in Sydney.[6]

Early life and family

Roberts-Smith was born on 1 November 1978 in Perth, Western Australia. He is the elder son of Sue and Len Roberts-Smith, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Ben was born in Perth and attended Hale School. His brother, Sam, is an opera singer.

Military career

Roberts-Smith in 2011

Roberts-Smith joined the Australian Army in 1996 at age 18. After completing basic training at Blamey Barracks in Kapooka, New South Wales, he underwent initial employment training at the School of Infantry at Lone Pine Barracks in Singleton, New South Wales. From there, Roberts-Smith was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) in Holsworthy, New South Wales. Initially part of a rifle company, he subsequently became a section leader in the Direct Fire Support Weapons Platoon.[7] With 3 RAR, Roberts-Smith was deployed to East Timor twice, the first time as part of the International Force East Timor in 1999.[7]

After completing the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) selection course in 2003, and the SASR reinforcement cycle, Roberts-Smith was initially posted to 3 Squadron at Campbell Barracks (Western Australia). He took part in operations off Fiji in 2004, and was part of personal security detachments in Iraq throughout 2005 and 2006. Roberts-Smith was deployed to Afghanistan on six occasions; the first two were in 2006 and 2007. After completing junior leadership training in 2009, he was posted to 2 Squadron as a patrol 2IC, and later as a patrol commander. Roberts-Smith was a member of training and assistance teams throughout Southeast Asia. He returned to Afghanistan in 2009, 2010 and 2012.[7]

In 2011, Roberts-Smith noted that he—and the ADF—expected him to be able to continue to fight as a frontline patrol commander following the receipt of the Victoria Cross. He said that "[O]nce you reach patrol commander, that is the pinnacle for an SAS operator. You are now the man."[8] He left the full-time army in 2013 at age 35 with the rank of corporal, and served part-time with the Army Reserve until 2015.

Citations

The following are extracts from the citations of the Department of Defence for Roberts-Smith's two awards for gallantry.

Medal for Gallantry

On ... 31 May 2006, Lance Corporal Roberts-Smith was employed as a patrol scout and sniper in a patrol which was tasked with establishing an observation post near the Chora Pass ... On 2 June, the observation post had become the focus of the Anti Coalition Militia force and repeated attempts to locate and surround the position ensued. In one particular incident the Militia attempted to outflank the observation post. ... Roberts-Smith was part of a two man team tasked to move out of their relatively secure observation post in order to locate and neutralise the Militia and regain the initiative. This task was successfully achieved.

In another incident, two Anti Coalition Militia attempted to attack the observation post from a different flank, ... Roberts-Smith again moved to support and neutralise one of these Militia. ... Roberts-Smith then realised that the forward edge of the observation post was not secure and made the decision to split the team and take up an exposed position forward of the patrol so he could effectively employ his sniper weapon. Whilst isolated, and in his precarious position, he observed a group of sixteen Anti-Coalition Militia advancing across open ground towards the observation post. ... Roberts-Smith effectively employed his sniper rifle to stop their advance whilst receiving very accurate small arms fire from another group of Militia to his flank. ... Roberts-Smith maintained the initiative and ensured that his patrol remained secure by holding this position without support for twenty minutes. He was eventually reinforced by his original team member and together they continued to hold off the Militia advance for a further twenty minutes until offensive air support arrived.[7]

Victoria Cross for Australia

Roberts-Smith being presented with the Victoria Cross for Australia during his investiture ceremony

Roberts-Smith was presented with the VC by the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, at a ceremony held at Campbell Barracks in Perth on 23 January 2011.[9][10]

On 11 June 2010, a troop of the Special Operations Task Group conducted a helicopter assault into Tizak, Kandahar Province, in order to capture or kill a senior Taliban commander.

Immediately upon the helicopter insertion, the troop was engaged by machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from multiple, dominating positions. Two soldiers were wounded in action and the troop was pinned down by fire from three machine guns in an elevated fortified position to the south of the village. Under the cover of close air support, suppressive small arms and machine gun fire, Corporal Roberts-Smith and his patrol manoeuvred to within 70 metres of the enemy position in order to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions and regain the initiative.

Upon commencement of the assault, the patrol drew very heavy, intense, effective and sustained fire from the enemy position. ... Roberts-Smith and his patrol members fought towards the enemy position until, at a range of 40 metres, the weight of fire prevented further movement forward. At this point, he identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by a small structure.

As he approached the structure, ... Roberts-Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the throes of engaging his patrol. ... Roberts-Smith instinctively engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy. His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns. Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, ... Roberts-Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position killing the two remaining machine gunners.

His act of valour enabled his patrol to break-in to the enemy position and to lift the weight of fire from the remainder of the troop who had been pinned down by the machine gun fire. On seizing the fortified gun position, ... Roberts-Smith then took the initiative again and continued to assault enemy positions in depth during which he and another patrol member engaged and killed further enemy. His acts of selfless valour directly enabled his troop to go on and clear the village of Tizak of Taliban. This decisive engagement subsequently caused the remainder of the Taliban in Shah Wali Kot District to retreat from the area.[7]

On receiving the award, Roberts-Smith said:

I am so very proud to have taken part in the action with my mates. This award also belongs to them and to the Regiment. To my family, my beautiful wife Emma and our baby girls, Eve and Elizabeth, thank you for your enduring support and encouragement.[11] I think for everyone there including myself what's going through your mind is you just won't let your mates down. It's just like being on a football team, you don't let your mates down, you go as hard as you can until the game's won.[12]

Commendation for Distinguished Service

On 26 January 2014, Roberts-Smith was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service as part of the 2014 Australia Day Honours.[13] The award arose from a 2012 tour of Afghanistan, in which Roberts-Smith "distinguished himself as an outstanding junior leader on more than 50 high risk" operations.[14]

A 2014 painting of Roberts-Smith, Pistol Grip by Michael Zavros, hangs in the Australian War Memorial which commissioned it.[15] The National Portrait Gallery (Australia) commissioned a photo by Julian Kingma of Roberts-Smith in 2018.[16]

Honours and awards

Medals on display at the Australian War Memorial. (Note that this display does not include his full entitlement.)

Ribbon Description Notes[7]
Ribbon of the Victoria Cross for Australia Victoria Cross for Australia For most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril on 11 June 2010, while deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan.[7]
Ribbon of the Medal for Gallantry Medal for Gallantry For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances as a patrol sniper while deployed on Operation SLIPPER, Afghanistan, May–September 2006.[7]
Ribbon of the Commendation for Distinguished Service Commendation for Distinguished Service For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as a patrol commander with the Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.[13]
Ribbon of the AASM Australian Active Service Medal with clasps for EAST TIMOR,[7] ICAT and IRAQ 2003
Ribbon of the International Force in East Timor International Force East Timor Medal (INTERFET)
Ribbon of the Afghanistan Medal for Australia Afghanistan Medal Operation SLIPPER
Ribbon of the Iraq Medal for Australia Iraq Medal Operation CATALYST
Ribbon of the Australian Service Medal Australian Service Medal with clasp for CT/SR (Counter Terrorism / Special Recovery)
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012[17]
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal 2022[18]
Ribbon of the DLSM Defence Long Service Medal For 15 Years' Service
Ribbon of the ADM Australian Defence Medal
Ribbon of the United Nations Medal (UNAMET) United Nations Medal with UNAMET ribbon for active service in Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Ribbon of the NATO Medal for ISAF NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan with ISAF clasp
Ribbon of the Unit Citation for Gallantry Unit Citation for Gallantry with Federation Star
Ribbon of the Meritorious Unit Citation Meritorious Unit Citation with Federation Star Special Operations Task Group (Task Force 66)[19]
Infantry Combat Badge

Media allegations of war crimes

Roberts-Smith's activities in Afghanistan came under scrutiny following an investigation by journalist Chris Masters for his book No Front Line: Australia's Special Forces at War in Afghanistan (2017). One notable controversy concerned the killing of an alleged Taliban spotter during the Chora Pass contact. According to Masters, two members of the patrol had witnessed a lone Afghan teenager approaching the patrol observation post, leaving shortly thereafter. Although the two operators had decided it was not necessary to engage the Afghan, Roberts-Smith and patrol 2IC Matthew Locke arrived on-scene and the pair "decided to hunt down and shoot dead the two "enemy" (the teenager) after concluding they (the teen) had spotted the patrol".[20]

Although the patrol report had identified only a single Afghan unarmed "spotter", Roberts-Smith later said that two armed insurgents had approached the position in an oral account provided to the Australian War Memorial. When the inconsistency was raised, Roberts-Smith claimed to have remembered incorrectly.[21]

Following the publication of No Front Line in October 2017, Fairfax Media's Nick McKenzie and the ABC's Dan Oakes covered the story—linking the case to an ongoing Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force inquiry into criminal misconduct on the battlefield by Australian special forces. Responding to the coverage in an interview with The Australian, Roberts-Smith described the scrutiny as "un-Australian". Oakes wrote "It's not 'un-Australian' to investigate the actions of special forces in Afghanistan."[22]

In June 2018, a joint ABC–Fairfax investigation detailed an assault on the Afghan village of Darwan in September 2012 during which a handcuffed man was allegedly kicked off a cliff by an Australian special forces soldier nicknamed "Leonidas" after the famed Spartan king.[23][24][25] On 6 July 2018, Fairfax Media reported that Roberts-Smith was "one of a small number of soldiers subject to investigation by an inquiry looking into the actions of Australian special forces soldiers in Afghanistan."[26] In August 2018, Fairfax Media also reported allegations by several soldiers of being bullied by Roberts-Smith, as well as a female companion's claim that she was subjected to an act of domestic violence in Australia. Roberts-Smith has denied these allegations.[27]

Australian Federal Police investigation into war crimes

Since 2018 Roberts-Smith has been under investigation by the Australian Federal Police for war crimes during his tours of Afghanistan.[28] On April 2021, the AFP confirmed it was also conducting a probe into allegations that Roberts-Smith had destroyed or buried evidence directly related to the ongoing investigation. [29]

Defamation suit

In response to this series of articles, in January 2019 Roberts-Smith commenced defamation proceedings in the Federal Court against Fairfax Media (a subsidiary of Nine Entertainment) and two journalists, Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, and a former journalist, David Wroe. In its truth defence, Fairfax defended its reporting as "substantially true", detailing a series of six unlawful killings alleged to have been carried out by Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan, including those in Darwan.[30]

Kerry Stokes' private investment company Australian Capital Equity (ACE) extended Roberts-Smith a line of credit, against which he drew $1.9 million.[31] Stokes and another director of ACE are also on the board of the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Calls have been made for Stokes, as AWM chairman, to stand down over his public and private support for soldiers accused of war crimes in Afghanistan.[32]

In August 2020, it was reported that legal experts had raised concerns about a personal relationship between Roberts-Smith and his defamation lawyer, saying it could constitute unprofessional conduct.[33] News Corp Australia published a photo of Roberts-Smith holding hands with the woman, who they reported was visiting him in his new apartment in Brisbane.[31] The woman conceded that it was "unwise to spend time with him socially".[34]

In the Federal Court, the Fairfax/Nine Entertainment lawyer Sandy Dawson claimed that Ben Roberts-Smith and his wife had given inconsistent accounts about the status of their relationship during previous years.[35]

On 1 September 2020, Dawson told the Federal Court that the Australian Federal Police have information, including an eyewitness, that allegedly implicates Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan war crimes.[36] The defamation trial, expected to last for 10 weeks, commenced in June 2021 in Sydney.[6]

The Federal Court has established an online file in view of the public interest where documents are placed when considered publicly accessible.[37]

In April 2021, The Age published an article alleging that Ben Roberts-Smith had attempted to cover up the alleged crimes by hiding incriminating images on a USB drive buried in his back yard, which has since been obtained by the Australian Federal Police.[38]

A colleague of Roberts-Smith, referred to as Person 16 (identity legally protected as part of proceedings), told the court in 2022 that Ben Roberts-Smith had shot dead an Afghan teenage prisoner, and bragged about it.[39]

Civilian career

Roberts-Smith in 2012

In 2013, Roberts-Smith launched his own consultancy, RS Group Australia, where he advised numerous national clients across a variety of sectors in relation to corporate culture, strategic restructuring and change management.[40] In October 2013, Roberts-Smith announced that he was leaving the full-time Army.[41] The University of Queensland (UQ) offered him a scholarship to study a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with a view to UQ setting up a program to support other elite SAS soldiers transitioning to a corporate career. When Roberts-Smith graduated in December 2016, becoming Australia's first enlisted Victoria Cross recipient to complete a degree after receiving the honour, he said "I joined the army at 18 so I hadn't gone to university for a Bachelor degree and I didn't have the base level of business knowledge because there were many things I just hadn't been exposed to."[42][43][44]

In April 2015 (twenty months prior to graduation), Ben Roberts-Smith was appointed deputy general manager (GM) of regional television network Seven Queensland by Seven Network GM Neil Mooney, following leadership seminars for the station. Two months later, Roberts-Smith was promoted to GM Seven Queensland.[45][46] In April 2016, the role of general manager of Seven Brisbane was added to his responsibilities following the resignation of former Queensland cricketer and business executive Max Walters.[47][48]

During his role at Seven Queensland, Roberts-Smith was recorded expressing disdain for the business, dislike of fellow Seven executives and incredulity that he was still running Seven Queensland despite being at the center of an alleged war crimes scandal. He also expressed that he felt indebted to media mogul and Seven owner Kerry Stokes for financing his legal actions.[49] It was alleged in February 2022 during defamation proceedings that Robert-Smith had employed a private investigator, John McLeod, to pose as a barman during a Seven Queensland work event in order to listen to staffers at the event and discern their opinions on Roberts-Smith.[50]

In April 2021, Roberts-Smith temporarily stepped down from his roles at Seven Queensland to focus on his defamation action against Nine media.[51]

From 2014 to 2017, Roberts-Smith was chair of the National Australia Day Council, an Australian Government-owned social enterprise.[52] In popular culture, he recorded "Lest We Forget" in 2015 with country music singer Lee Kernaghan for the album Spirit of the Anzacs.

Personal life

Roberts-Smith with his family in 2011

Roberts-Smith met Emma Groom in 1998 at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney. She came from a military family. On 6 December 2003, the couple married at the University of Western Australia.[53] In December 2020, their divorce finalised.[54][55][56] Their twin daughters were born in 2010. Roberts-Smith was named 2013 Australian Father of the Year by The Shepherd Centre, a not-for-profit charitable organisation.[57][58] On retirement from the army, he moved to Queensland with his ex-wife and daughters.[59]

In 2017-2018, Roberts-Smith had a 6-month affair with 'Person 17' (identity legally protected in current court proceedings). During this period, Person 17 became pregnant. Roberts-Smith hired John McLeod to monitor Person 17 and confirm her attendance at an abortion clinic. Person 17 has accused Roberts-Smith of punching her in the face during a dinner at Parliament House in 2018. Roberts-Smith denies ever striking her.[60] Person 17 also accused Roberts-Smith of coaching her on how to explain a black eye resulting from the alleged assault.[61] The AFP commenced an investigation into these claims but subsequently dropped all charges due to a lack of evidence.

In January 2022, Roberts-Smith was ordered to pay the legal costs of his ex-wife after unsuccessfully trying to sue her in the Federal Court over allegations she accessed confidential emails.[62]

References

  1. ^ Dodd, Mark (21 January 2010). "Second SAS Afghan Victoria Cross for heroic charge". The Australian. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Victoria Cross for soldier who 'tore into' Taliban". Herald Sun. Australian Associated Press. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  3. ^ Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report (PDF). Australia: Department of Defence. 2020.
  4. ^ "Roberts-Smith among soldiers probed over Afghan allegations". news.com.au. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  5. ^ Simone Fox Koob (17 August 2018). "Ben Roberts-Smith files defamation proceedings against Fairfax". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b Jamie McKinnell (10 June 2021). "Tearful Ben Roberts-Smith breaks down in court after being grilled over alleged murders". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Australian Army Awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia/Medal for Gallantry Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG – Citation". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012 – via Trove.
  8. ^ Nicholson, Brendan (24 January 2011). "Professional soldier just wants to get back to work". The Australian. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) – Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith MG, WA", Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, no. S 12, 24 January 2011
  10. ^ AAP (23 January 2010). "SAS digger awarded VC for taking on Taliban". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  11. ^ "The Chief of the Defence Force congratulates Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG (MECC 20/11)" (Press release). Department of Defence. 23 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014.
  12. ^ "Digger awarded top military honour". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 January 2011. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Commendation for Distinguished Service" (PDF). Website of the Governor General of Australia. Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  14. ^ "Awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service: Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, VC, MG – Citation" (PDF). Australian Army. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Pistol Grip (Ben Roberts-Smith VC)", Australian War Memorial
  16. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith, 2018, by Julian Kingma", National Portrait Gallery (Australia)
  17. ^ "Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG", Parliament of Australia, 5 April 2019
  18. ^ "Platinum Jubilee medal design revealed ahead of Queen's 70-year reign celebrations". Sky News. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Australia Day Awards 2015" (PDF). Governor-General of Australia. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  20. ^ McKenzie, Nick (19 October 2017). "The fog of war and politics leads to controversy over Afghan war mission". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  21. ^ Masters, Chris (2017). No Front Line: Australia's Special Forces at War in Afghanistan. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781760111144.
  22. ^ Oakes, Dan (26 October 2017). "It's not 'un-Australian' to investigate the actions of special forces in Afghanistan". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  23. ^ McKenzie, Nick (8 June 2018). "SAS soldier accused of killing innocent villager". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  24. ^ Dan Oakes (10 June 2018). "Death in Darwan". ABC News.
  25. ^ Maley, Paul (27 September 2019). "Ben Roberts-Smith and the battle on the home front". The Australian. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  26. ^ McKenzie, Nick; Masters, Chris (6 July 2018). "VC winner Ben Roberts-Smith among subjects of defence investigation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  27. ^ McKenzie, Nick; Wroe, David; Masters, Chris (10 August 2018). "Beneath the bravery of our most decorated soldier". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  28. ^ McKenzie, Nick (28 November 2018). "Police investigate Ben Roberts-Smith over alleged war crimes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  29. ^ Tozer, Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters, Joel (12 April 2021). "Ben Roberts-Smith under fresh investigation over burner phones and sealed envelopes". The Age. Retrieved 23 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Whitbourn, Michaela (19 October 2018). "Fairfax defends Ben Roberts-Smith defamation claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  31. ^ a b Aston, Joe (15 November 2020). "Ben Roberts-Smith owes Kerry Stokes $1.9m". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  32. ^ Galloway, Anthony (25 November 2020). "'Discredited': Former War Memorial historian calls for Kerry Stokes to stand down". The Age. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  33. ^ Galloway, Anthony (8 August 2020). "Legal experts raise concern about Ben Roberts-Smith's personal relationship with lawyer". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  34. ^ Whinnett and Smith, Ellen and Zoe (10 August 2020). "Ben Roberts-Smith: war hero's lawyer admits personal relationship 'unwise'". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  35. ^ Cooper, Adam (2 November 2020). "Ben Roberts-Smith asked wife to lie about his affair, court told". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  36. ^ Knaus, Christopher (1 September 2020). "Australian police told Ben Roberts-Smith they had witnesses to alleged Afghanistan war crimes, court hears". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith". Federal Court of Australia. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Buried evidence and threats: How Ben Roberts-Smith tried to cover up his alleged crimes". The Age. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  39. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith described alleged execution of Afghan teen as 'beautiful thing', court hears". ABC. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Management Team". Seven West Media. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  41. ^ "Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith leaving Army for career in business". ABC News. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  42. ^ "War hero credits MBA for transition from battlefield to corporate suite". UQ News. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  43. ^ Nicholson, Brendon. "VC hero Ben Roberts-Smith swaps battlefield for boardroom". The Australian. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  44. ^ Nicholson, Brendan. "Lessons from another battlefront for Ben Roberts-Smith". The Australian. News Corp. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith appointed deputy general manager of 7 Queensland". news.com.au. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  46. ^ "Seven West Media promotes VC recipient Ben Roberts-Smith to GM Queensland office". mUmBRELLA. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  47. ^ Knox, David (12 April 2016). "Ben Roberts-Smith appointed General Manager, Seven Brisbane". TV Tonight Newsletter. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  48. ^ Bennett, Stephanie (8 March 2016). "Channel 7 boss Max Walters quits after 26 years with the network". perth now. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  49. ^ Masters, Nick McKenzie, Joel Tozer, Chris (11 April 2021). "'I'm going to do everything I can to f---ing destroy them': Secret Ben Roberts-Smith audio revealed". The Age. Retrieved 15 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith tried to cover up writing threatening letters to SAS soldier, court hears". the Guardian. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  51. ^ Kruimel, Olivia (26 April 2021). "Seven's Ben Roberts-Smith takes leave of absence for defamation case". Mumbrella. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  52. ^ "National Australia Day Council". National Australia Day Council. 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  53. ^ "Federal Court of Australia Affidavit" (PDF). Page 104 of affidavit. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  54. ^ Rolfe, Brooke (9 June 2021). "Inside Ben Roberts-Smith's new relationship". news.com.au. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  55. ^ Scheikowski, Margaret (2 November 2020). "Deeply personal Roberts-Smith info sought". The Times. Victor Harbour, South Australia. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  56. ^ Parkes-Hupton, Heath (2 November 2020). "Ben Roberts-Smith: Newspapers seek 'deeply personal' docs about SAS hero's alleged affair". news.com.au. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  57. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith named 2013 Australian Father of the Year (as awarded by The Shepherd Centre)". Media Release. The Shepherd Centre. 26 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  58. ^ "Father of the Year Award". Media Release. The Shepherd Centre. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  59. ^ Gould, Joel (Winter 2017). "When the war is over". The University of Queensland. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  60. ^ "A prosthetic leg, an affair and burnt laptops: Ben Roberts-Smith case hears extraordinary evidence". the Guardian. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  61. ^ Cooper, Adam (22 November 2018). "Woman says war hero Ben Roberts-Smith told her how to explain black eye". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  62. ^ "Ben Roberts-Smith loses case against ex-wife, court orders he pay costs". ABC News. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
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