Luke Gosling, a former commando and the Special Envoy for Defence in the federal parliament, has called on all federal members of parliament (MPs) to refrain from making public statements regarding the case of Ben Roberts-Smith.
Mr. Roberts-Smith, a former soldier with the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, was taken into custody last week and is facing charges related to war crimes.
Gosling emphasized that it is “not appropriate” for current MPs to engage in public discussions about the case, referencing the recent expressions of support for Mr. Roberts-Smith from various politicians, former officials, and veterans.
The Northern Territory MP, who has a background as a commando, cautioned his colleagues against commenting on the arrest of the Victoria Cross recipient, who is accused of war crimes, indicating that such statements could compromise the integrity of a fair trial.
Mr. Roberts-Smith is currently held at the Silverwater Correctional Complex in New South Wales following his high-profile arrest by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) last week. He faces five charges of murder as part of the war crimes allegations.
Gosling, who served in the Australian Army from 1990 to 2001, is not only a veteran but also serves as the federal Labor government’s Special Envoy for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.
In an email distributed to all federal MPs and obtained by ABC News, Gosling expressed that he wanted to provide context regarding the serious allegations against a prominent veteran that will be subjected to judicial scrutiny. He pointed out that many politicians, former officials, and veterans are voicing their support for someone who has received Australia’s highest honors for bravery, which may stem from various motivations.
He noted that a number of veterans are observing the developments quietly, including some who witnessed the events in question and have been adversely affected. In particular, he mentioned former SAS members who are grappling with moral injuries and distress over what they perceive as war crimes in Afghanistan that were allegedly concealed. Some of these veterans are expected to testify in court.
He stressed the importance of ensuring a fair trial to address the concerns of all those affected, urging everyone to avoid public commentary about the accused. He stated, “It is not appropriate for MPs to comment on a serious criminal trial which will be before a jury.”
This message comes in light of various public remarks made over the past week regarding Mr. Roberts-Smith’s arrest, including statements from notable former politicians such as ex-Prime Minister Tony Abbott and current senators, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Gosling further highlighted that the complexities surrounding the case have created a divide within the former SAS community and are causing distress among the broader veteran population, particularly for those personally affected by their service and their families.
Gosling is not the first veteran in parliament to discourage public commentary on this ongoing case. On April 9, Andrew Hastie, the Shadow Minister for Industry and a former SAS veteran from the Afghanistan war, issued a statement indicating that he might be called as a witness in Mr. Roberts-Smith’s trial. He urged Australians to uphold the rule of law and the right to a fair trial, refraining from making further comments that could influence the proceedings.
Mr. Roberts-Smith is set to appear for a bail review hearing in Sydney on April 17.
