Australian War Memorial to review Ben Roberts-Smith display following war crimes charges
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/war-memorial-review-ben-roberts-smith-display-war-crimes-charges/106539330?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link
26 Comments
It’s about goddamn time. They’ve kept on venerating this psychopathic degenerate for far too long.
Should be removed immediately- then if he is somehow found not guilty (highly unlikely), they can just put it back
This has to be the single biggest own goal for a defamation case ever. It’s mind boggling.
The guy is a Muppet, SAS need to improve their hiring process. No one cares. Move along.
[deleted]
Display the truth. He was a decorated soldier who also (allegedly at this stage) committed war crimes. The majority of people will want it removed now and in a few years time will be questioning why we’ve erased history and are trying to hide things. It should all be out there so people can have the appropriate conversation about the complexity of such a subject
I think his story should stay, both the good and the bad. To serve as a message that even our heroes can (potentially) be found guilty in the court of law.
Because ultimately humans are complex beings and we shouldn’t blindly worship heroes.
“Review”. Read: kick the can down the road until the news cycle forgets about him.
I think it’s important to acknowledge that he’s a POS (allegedly) who also displayed a gallant act of bravery. And that is the story that should be taught
Should have been done years ago
It should be kept. Just updated
Whole story probably shows the reality of war
Remove it. Punish the war crime criminal. Commit war crimes. Get what you deserve.
I’ve heard some horror stories from the Army Vets and SAS. Not branches of the defence force I would want to serve in.
If anyone is surprised that it wasn’t already removed, remember that Kerry Stokes is a benefactor of both AWM and BRS. So they’re probably reluctant to upset the money.
Where in the AWM is the display? Near the big new conference room that hosts events like the big footy season launch?
Great people do terrible things and terrible people do great things in war. It does not mean it’s right all it means is war is terrible
The whole museum is too much a celebration of war and needs to be redone
Cool. Can we let the journalist go now?
Contextualise it and add the artificial leg drinking vessel from one of the people allegedly murdered to the display.
He shouldn’t have been protected for this length in time.
when you read the internal reports conducted it was known and others reported their War crimes.
keep coming back to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brereton_Report
Tell them to replace it with the Frontier Wars exhibit finally.
It was still up?!
This article made me agree with Tony Abbott, at least partially…
> “Justice delayed is justice denied. If evidence is clear, and cases are strong, they should be brought and concluded without delay.
> “Otherwise, people should be cleared to get on with their lives lest the process itself become the punishment.”
I reckon the AWM should absolutely keep the BRS display. And add to it as the case unfolds. And work to being a legitimate presenter of this example of the messiness of war, and of the complexity of this whole saga. Ugly as the whole show is, it’s an important part of Australian history.
Reminder that the Australian War Memorial recently [contorted itself](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/12/australian-war-memorial-defers-military-history-prize-after-panel-awards-ben-roberts-smith-book) to avoid awarding Chris Masters the 2024 Les Carlyon literary award for military history for his book on Mr. Roberts-Smith, ‘Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes’.
The AWM is not exactly a neutral observer in this saga.