Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Ben Roberts-Smith did not attend the opening of the Australian War Memorial after his lawyer told a court he was unwell.
Senior politicians have defended the decision to invite Ben Roberts-Smith to the opening of a major new gallery at the Australian War Memorial, despite the decorated soldier ultimately not attending the event.
Roberts-Smith, who faces five counts of war crime murder, had successfully applied to have his bail conditions varied so he could attend Tuesday night’s opening of the memorial’s new Anzac Hall and atrium in Canberra.
However, Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court was later told the Victoria Cross recipient had decided not to travel to the ACT after feeling unwell.
“Mr Roberts-Smith felt ill in the last couple days and hasn’t travelled to Canberra today to attend the official opening at the war memorial,” defence lawyer Slade Howell said.
All living Victoria Cross recipients had been invited to the official opening of the memorial’s atrium and Anzac Hall, a gallery focusing mainly on Australia’s commitments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations.
It was appropriate for the Afghanistan veteran to be invited as a recipient of Australia’s highest military honour, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
“The Victoria Cross recipients have been invited to this, which is appropriate. I’m comfortable about that,” he told ABC TV on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson were among those attending the opening.
Senator Hanson had said she was hoping to speak with Roberts-Smith during the event and that he was welcome to attend as he had not been convicted of a crime.
“He’s still innocent til he’s been proven guilty,” she told reporters in Canberra.
“I’m hoping to actually catch up with him, say hello to him, give him my support,” Senator Hanson said before learning he would not attend.
The decorated soldier is accused of murdering or ordering the murders of five unarmed detainees while deployed in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
After the successful bail hearing earlier in June, Roberts-Smith told reporters it was “absolutely” appropriate he attend the opening as a Victoria Cross recipient.
He has categorically rejected the war crime allegations and has vowed to fight them in court.
Veterans who have spoken out against Roberts-Smith, including several who he is not allowed to speak to under strict bail conditions, were also expected to attend the opening.
His absence removed the prospect of him crossing paths with some of those veterans.
Mr Albanese told those gathered they are bonded by the power of “lest we forget”.
“That most unadorned of sentences that dwells within us like a heartbeat – we vow to keep the flame of memory burning so brightly that its glow reaches future generations,” he said.
“Today we adjourned the parliament so that everyone who wished to could come mark the opening of this Atrium and Anzac Hall, an addition to the Australian War Memorial that makes that flame burn so much brighter.
“What a sublime and powerful addition it is. A bold vision turned into a reality that enhances the institution of which it is now part.”
The prime minister implored those gathered to “read all the words” about those who have gone before them.
“Look at the faces and get lost amid the smiles, the hope and camaraderie – the counterpoint to war’s relentless, inhuman arithmetic. They are its true cost,” he said.
“Yet, amid this loss and sacrifice, what pulses so powerfully is life, and an abiding sense of what is worth fighting for.”
Anzac Hall and the memorial’s revamp will add more than 5000 square metres of gallery space – almost a full football pitch’s worth – when completed in 2028, totalling 15,000 square metres.
More than $550 million in federal funding has underpinned the redevelopment.
The institution has consistently defended displaying an image of Roberts-Smith, from which the body of a dead man has been cropped out.
The picture of Roberts-Smith shows him standing in a field in Tizak in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province.
A plaque under the image has been adjusted several times to reflect Roberts-Smith’s arrest and previous civil court cases.
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He was a Soldier, in a war zone, which this country should not have been involved in. Ben did what he was paid to do. Does one stop and ask, `have you any weapons under your clothing?
I still think that you have to be there in the moment ,hyper alert to say the least. The men from the first SAS Regiment 2nd world war would turn in their grave had they faced the same condemnation from their Generals and and civilians. Least We Forget. George
It is so easy for those sitting in their comfortable safe houses to stand in judgement when never ever having faced what these soldiers faced on the field of battle, including seeing comrads being killed and slaughtered. War is not a game that sticks to rules, it is a brutal reality for these people.
If you weren't in this situation your opinion does not matter.
BRS did what he was paid to do, he signed up under certain rules. T his govt has no right to change the rules.
I stand with him, he did nothing wrong, and does not deserve this treatment.
He'll never be found guilty because he isn't. He was obeying orders in accordance with the then rules of engagement. The charges should be dropped and he should be free to get on with his life. He is a hero.
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