It has been described as the biggest defamation action in Australia’s history. But the consequences are far more wide reaching and profound than defamation.
A painting of former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith by artist Michael Zavros, seen at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Alex Ellinghausen
At 7.35pm on August 10, 2018, Sydney Morning Herald investigative reporter Kate McClymont is running late. She’s meant to be going to the Kennedy Awards for journalism when she learns her newspaper is being taken to court over a story about how war hero Ben Roberts-Smith allegedly committed war crimes.
For years Roberts-Smith had been lauded as the model Australian soldier, given the country’s highest military honour and even named father of the year.
Max MasonSenior courts and crime reporterMax Mason covers financial crime, courts and corporate wrongdoing. A Walkley Award winner, Max’s journalism has also received awards from the National Press Club of Australia, the Kennedy Awards and Citibank. Message Max on Signal https://tinyurl.com/MaxMason Connect with Max on Twitter. Email Max at max.mason@afr.com
