In 2018, Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian war veteran who had won the Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, sued The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.

 

The above newspapers had alleged that Roberts-Smith committed acts of war crimes, bullying and domestic violence.

 

The civil trial ended in July 2022 after 110 days of evidence and legal submissions. It was dubbed one of the largest and most important defamation cases in Australian history.

 

On June 1st, 2023,Justice Anthony Besanko dismissed Roberts-Smith's case against the media outlets, finding that most of the allegations against him were substantially true.

 

Nick Mckenzie, one of the three journalists directly named in the defamation case, joins us on this episode to reflect on the last five years.

 

More info:

 

Nick Mckenzie has an upcoming book that details what went on behind the scenes of this incredible story. It is titled Crossing The Line, and can be preordered here.

 

For Support: 

Lifeline on 13 11 14

 

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

 

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

 

CREDITS:

Host:Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here 

Guests: Nick Mckenzie

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

 

GET IN TOUCH:

 

Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC

 

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

 

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/

 

Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au

 

Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

In 2018, Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian war veteran who had won the Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, sued The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.
&nbsp;
The above newspapers had alleged that Roberts-Smith committed acts of war crimes, bullying and domestic violence.
&nbsp;
The civil trial ended in July 2022 after 110 days of evidence and legal submissions. It was dubbed one of the largest and most important defamation cases in Australian history.
&nbsp;
On June 1st, 2023, Justice Anthony Besanko dismissed Roberts-Smith's case against the media outlets, finding that most of the allegations against him were substantially true.
&nbsp;
Nick Mckenzie, one of the three journalists directly named in the defamation case, joins us on this episode to reflect on the last five years.
&nbsp;
More info:
&nbsp;
Nick Mckenzie has an upcoming book that details what went on behind the scenes of this incredible story. It is titled Crossing The Line, and can be <a href="https://www.qbd.com.au/crossing-the-line/nick-mckenzie/9780733650437/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6vTTlYa1_wIVE2VgCh08RwLQEAQYASABEgKt7vD_BwE">preordered here.</a>
&nbsp;
For Support:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> &nbsp;on 13 11 14
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.13yarn.org.au/">13 YARN</a> on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
&nbsp;
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
&nbsp;
CREDITS:
Host:<a href="https://www.miafreedman.com/"> </a>Meshel Laurie. You can find her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meshel_laurie/?hl=en">Instagram&nbsp;</a>
Co-Host: <a href="https://www.emilywebbcrime.com/">Emily Webb</a>. You can find her on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilywebbcrime/"> Instagram</a> here&nbsp;
Guests: Nick Mckenzie
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
&nbsp;
GET IN TOUCH:
&nbsp;
Send us a question or comment on this episode to be used in our "Episode Download" series: https://www.speakpipe.com/ATC
&nbsp;
Follow the show on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/australiantruecrimepodcas">@australiantruecrimepodcast</a> and Facebook&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/">https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTrueCrimePod/</a>
&nbsp;
Email the show at team@smartfella.com.au
&nbsp;
Australian True Crime is a podcast by Smart Fella Media. Your story matters and how you tell it matters even more.

Think nothing ever happens in your town? Australia's suburbs are home to some of the most mysterious and disturbing true crime cases in the world. Meshel Laurie is a true crime obsessive, and with the help of expert interviews with writers, victim/survivors, investigators and perpetrators, she probes the underbelly of our towns and suburbs, and uncovers the darkness at the heart of Australian life.

Think nothing ever happens in your town? Australia's suburbs are home to some of the most mysterious and disturbing true crime cases in the world. Meshel Laurie is a true crime obsessive, and with the help of expert interviews with writers, victim/survivors, investigators and perpetrators, she probes the underbelly of our towns and suburbs, and uncovers the darkness at the heart of Australian life.