One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has voiced support for former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith at a rally in Brisbane, comparing his prosecution for war crimes to her own past legal troubles. Hanson told the crowd at Rocks Riverside Park that Roberts-Smith, who faces five charges of war crime murder, is a person 'I respect and I admire'.
The rally, organised as a 'community barbecue', drew about 100 supporters. Hanson likened Roberts-Smith's situation to her 2003 jailing for electoral fraud, which was later overturned. She argued that decisions made by soldiers in combat should not be judged by civilians.
Organiser Lawrence Henzell called for 'an army of civilians' to support the former Special Air Service Regiment soldier. Henzell has been selling T-shirts with messages of support, with proceeds going to a trust in Roberts-Smith's name.
Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, was arrested in April and denies all allegations of murdering unarmed civilians during his service in Afghanistan. Some supporters travelled long distances, including Tammy Hickey from Cunnamulla, who said her father, a World War Two veteran, would be 'horrified' at Roberts-Smith's treatment.
