War Hero Cleared to Attend Event That Already Happened—Questions Over Criminal Case Linger

Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated soldier found liable for war crimes in a 2023 civil lawsuit, won court permission in June 2026 to attend the War Memorial's opening—which occurred in February 2025. The ruling shows ongoing criminal charges and movement limits remain in place, raising questions about how institutions handle a veteran whose legal standing remains contested in multiple court proceedings.