Ben Roberts Smith: podcast appearances and interviews

Benjamin Roberts-Smith, born on 1 November 1978, is a former Australian soldier who served in the Special Air Service Regiment. He is recognized as one of Australia's most highly decorated soldiers, having received the Medal for Gallantry in 2006, the Victoria Cross for Australia in 2011, and a Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2012. The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award for gallantry in battle that can be awarded to a member of the Australian Defence Force. His military service led to a widely held perception of him as a national hero; however, his reputation faced significant challenges following a 2023 Federal Court ruling. The court found there was enough evidence to establish, within Australian defamation law standards, that he had murdered four unarmed Afghans and violated military engagement rules. After his discharge in 2013, Roberts-Smith was named Australian Father of the Year and received a scholarship to study business at the University of Queensland. He held top executive positions at Seven Queensland and Seven Brisbane, appointments made by media proprietor Kerry Stokes. In 2017, reports surfaced raising questions about his conduct during Afghanistan deployments, including allegations of killing an unarmed teenager and bullying soldiers. He initiated defamation proceedings in 2018, but in June 2023, the case was dismissed by Justice Anthony Besanko for misconduct, stating that Roberts-Smith had