In 2018, Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian war veteran who had won the Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, sued The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.

 

The above newspapers had alleged that Roberts-Smith committed acts of war crimes, bullying and domestic violence.

 

The civil trial ended in July 2022 after 110 days of evidence and legal submissions. It was dubbed one of the largest and most important defamation cases in Australian history.

 

On June 1st, 2023, Justice Anthony Besanko dismissed Roberts-Smith's case against the media outlets, finding that most of the allegations against him were substantially true.

 

Nick Mckenzie, one of the three journalists directly named in the defamation case, joins us on this episode to reflect on the last five years.

 

More info:

 

Nick Mckenzie has an upcoming book that details what went on behind the scenes of this incredible story. It is titled Crossing The Line, and can be preordered here.

 

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CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here 

Guests: Nick Mckenzie

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

 

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Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.