Chris Masters
Chris Masters is a Gold Walkley award-winning journalist and author. He was the first Australian journalist to be embedded with special forces in Afghanistan.
A man with something to hide: The day I put tough questions to Ben Roberts-Smith
The more we spoke, the more his guard appeared to slip.
- by Chris Masters
Latest
Exclusive
Roberts-Smith case
Defence chief Angus Campbell tried to hand back his Afghanistan medal but was refused
The offer was made to then-defence minister Linda Reynolds but was turned down by the Morrison government because it did not want anybody’s medals revoked.
- by Chris Masters
Analysis
Roberts-Smith case
Reputation over rank: Where was the command over this culture?
The Ben Roberts-Smith trial could not explore the full role of officers but it did provide important insights.
- by Chris Masters
Exclusive
Secrets of War
If we fail to prosecute war crimes, the law is a ‘dead letter,’ says inquiry judge
Major-General Paul Brereton has warned of the danger of national pride trumping justice when it comes to holding war criminals to account.
- by Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Exclusive
Secrets of War
War Memorial historians denied access to Afghanistan war crimes report
The historians won’t see the unredacted report of the Brereton war crimes inquiry until the public sees it, which could be as long as seven years away.
- by Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie
‘SAS protection racket’: Claims reforms to special forces have been sidelined
“The general mood [among high-ranking defence officers] is that it has been squibbed,” said one senior officer engaged with the Afghanistan inquiry reform process.
- by Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie
Exclusive
Secrets of War
War crimes prosecution could be blown up by legal minefield
Previously unreported investigations into a former SAS soldier might have been compromised because police obtained information they may be prohibited from using.
- by Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Mark Weinberg’s war crimes probe faces high hurdles. Can it prevail?
The former top judge and prosecutor will need every ounce of his renowned legal acuity if he is to successfully investigate Australian special forces soldiers.
- by Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Peter Dutton’s relationship with defence chief ‘frayed’ by overturned decisions
The Defence Minister’s failure to support a number of General Angus Campbell’s decisions has made the defence chief a “lame duck”, senior sources say.
- by Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters
Exclusive
ADF
How a Liberal defence minister tried to promote his staffer to a top military post
The move by former minister Kevin Andrews was quickly thwarted, but defence chiefs are concerned that upcoming appointments must be free of political taint.
- by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and Anthony Galloway
Opinion
Secrets of War
The SAS postpones its ‘new era’ as a ceremonial disbanding is delayed
Friday was meant to mark the end of the controversial 2 Squadron of the SAS. Now, citing COVID, the brass has delayed the ceremony.
- by Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/chris-masters-h13rls