Australian Veterans Handing Back Medals Over Handling of Roberts-Smith Case

MPs reveal veterans have been handing back medals in protest over the treatment of Australia’s military.

Decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith arrested by the Australian Federal Police for alleged war crime murders in Afghanistan in Sydney, Australia on April 7, 2026. Courtesy of the Australian Federal Police

Australian veterans have been handing back medals to the Defence Department in a solemn protest against the handling of the Ben Roberts-Smith case.

Earlier this month, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) arrested and charged Roberts-Smith with five counts of the war crime of murder, including the alleged killing of Afghan civilians during his six tours to the country.

He has not yet entered a plea, but has consistently maintained his innocence, even suing Nine Newspapers for their investigative stories that first brought the claims to light.

On April 17, Roberts-Smith was granted bail and released from Sydney’s Silverwater Correctional Complex.

Federal MP and former soldier Phillip Thompson has criticised the way the Roberts-Smith case was handled as he shared a Facebook post showing handwritten letters and a collection of medals delivered to his office by veterans in protest.

“They represent those who answered the call, who carried the weight of this country on their shoulders and who lived with the consequences long after the uniform came off,” he wrote.

“The pain in the notes kills me.”

Thompson said he would always stand with the nation’s veterans.

“This is human. This is real. This is the hurt being carried by people who gave everything and are now left wondering where they stand in the country they served.”

Katter’s Australian Party MP Robbie Katter said Australian veterans should not be “torn down before they’ve had their day in court.”

“Right now, we’re watching trial by media replace the rule of law and if that stands, it doesn’t just affect one man, it affects every Australian,” he wrote on Facebook.

“We’re even seeing veterans hand back their medals in protest. That tells you how deeply this is being felt.”

Former Officer Says AFP Reputation at Stake

A former AFP agent says the manner in which Roberts-Smith was detained—publicly with cameras recording—severely damaged the AFP’s reputation.

Paul Johnstone worked for the AFP for 10 years before being employed as a security officer for diplomatic staff in Afghanistan, working alongside Special Air Service (SAS) officers.

He says he knows of at least 40 to 50 personnel who have returned medals.

“This is quite common. A colleague of mine, he’s already sent his medals back. He sent back his DVA card [for veteran’s entitlements], his disability card, and he sent back his medals,” Johnstone told The Epoch Times.

He claimed the OSI had a weak case—the agency chief conceded investigators have no access to deceased bodies, weapons, ballistics, or crime scenes—and had to show something for the $250 million it had spent over the five years investigating Afghanistan war crimes.

“All they have is witness testimony,” Johnstone said. “How are they going to convict the guy just on witness testimony?”

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor previously criticised the OSI’s investigations.

“There are just 16 of 53 matters remaining under active investigation. Just one case has led to charges [before Roberts-Smith],” Taylor told Parliament last year in October.

“Despite years of work, hundreds of millions of dollars, and over 100 staff, there is little to show. These investigations have dragged on, with timelines stretching towards the end of the decade. There are legitimate questions to be asked about the OSI’s efficiency and effectiveness.

“If there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, that should happen without delay. If not, cases should be closed.”