Ben Roberts-Smith’s Final Appeal Crushed by High Court as Parliament Pushes Controversial Deportation Bill and Robodebt Victims Win Record Payout
High Court Rejects Ben Roberts-Smith’s Final Appeal
Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has lost his last chance to overturn a series of devastating defamation rulings.
On Thursday, the High Court announced it would not hear Roberts-Smith’s appeal, ending a bruising seven-year legal battle over media reports that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan.
The former SAS corporal, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2011, sued three major Australian newspapers for defamation after they published allegations that he was involved in unlawful killings and acts of bullying during his deployments.
After a lengthy trial, the Federal Court ruled against him in 2023, finding the reports were substantially true. Roberts-Smith pursued appeals, but Thursday’s decision marks the end of the line. The High Court’s refusal effectively cements the earlier judgments, leaving his reputation permanently tarnished.
Why the Case Mattered
The Roberts-Smith case has been closely watched as a test of both press freedom and accountability in Australia. Media outlets hailed the outcome as a victory for investigative journalism, while critics argued the saga exposed troubling aspects of Australia’s military culture.
Legal experts note the decision sets a precedent that public figures cannot easily silence credible reporting through lengthy court battles.
Deportation Bill Sparks Controversy in Parliament
In a separate major development, parliament passed a bill on Thursday that strips away basic legal protections for noncitizens facing deportation to Nauru. The legislation also retrospectively validates visa decisions made before the High Court’s landmark NZYQ ruling, which had previously raised doubts about the legality of certain government actions.
The bill was pushed through the Senate amid heated debate. Critics, including the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, described it as “Trump-style” legislation that sends a “devastating message” to migrant and refugee communities across Australia.
Supporters argued the changes were necessary to maintain strong borders and national security. However, questions remain about exactly who falls within the so-called NZYQ cohort — and whether all affected individuals are truly violent criminals, as some politicians have claimed.
$475 Million Robodebt Settlement Approved
The federal government also announced a record $475 million settlement for victims of the unlawful robodebt scheme, closing what many have described as a dark chapter in Australia’s recent history.
The robodebt program, which ran from 2015 to 2019, used an automated system to recover welfare “debts” that in many cases did not exist. It led to widespread financial distress, mental health crises, and, tragically, several suicides.
Former Labor minister Bill Shorten, now serving as the government services minister, welcomed the settlement, saying it “closes a dark and shameful chapter in Australian public administration.”
The payout represents the largest class action settlement in Australian history and will provide compensation to hundreds of thousands of affected individuals.
Dan Andrews Under Fire for Beijing Parade Appearance
Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews also found himself in the spotlight after attending a massive military parade in Beijing this week.
The event, which featured Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, drew international attention. Critics accused Andrews of legitimising authoritarian regimes by appearing at the same event as two of the world’s most controversial leaders.
In response, Andrews defended his attendance, stressing it was part of ongoing diplomatic and cultural exchanges between Victoria and China. He dismissed suggestions that his presence signaled political alignment with foreign leaders, saying the focus was on strengthening Victoria’s economic and cultural ties with China.
Political Tensions Rise Over Migration
Another flashpoint emerged in Canberra when opposition leader Sussan Ley publicly rejected claims made by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price that the federal Labor government was deliberately promoting migration from specific ethnic groups — including Indians — to grow its electoral support.
Ley distanced herself from the comments, while Labor MP Julian Hill described Nampijinpa Price’s claims as “bonkers.”
The remarks sparked debate about how immigration policy is discussed in Australian politics, with critics warning that inflammatory rhetoric risks fueling division and xenophobia.
Key Takeaways From a Busy Political Day
Thursday marked the last sitting day of parliament and delivered one of the busiest news cycles in recent months. Among the highlights:
- Ben Roberts-Smith’s legal battle is officially over after the High Court refused to hear his appeal.
- Parliament passed a controversial deportation bill, raising fresh concerns about human rights and due process for asylum seekers.
- Robodebt victims will receive $475 million in compensation, bringing long-awaited closure to one of the nation’s most shameful policy failures.
- Daniel Andrews defended his Beijing appearance, despite criticism over his proximity to authoritarian leaders.
- Political leaders clashed over migration rhetoric, highlighting growing tensions within Australia’s immigration debate.
From the courtroom to parliament and even the international stage, Thursday’s events underscored the intensity of Australia’s political and legal landscape.
The rejection of Ben Roberts-Smith’s final appeal represents the end of a long-running saga about truth, accountability, and press freedom. Meanwhile, the passage of the deportation bill and the robodebt settlement show how governments continue to grapple with controversial legacies and human rights questions.
As Australia looks ahead, debates around extremism, migration, justice, and government accountability remain at the forefront — with no signs of slowing down.
