One Nation leader Pauline Hanson addressed a rally in support of Ben Roberts-Smith in Brisbane on Sunday, calling the former soldier accused of war crimes a person 'I respect and I admire'. The event, held at Rocks Riverside Park, drew about 100 supporters, some carrying signs calling for Roberts-Smith to be elected prime minister or wearing T-shirts demanding 'justice for Ben'.
Hanson compared Roberts-Smith's prosecution for war crimes to her own 2003 jailing for electoral fraud, which was later overturned. 'These men and women are trained to fight, and a lot of the time to fight for their life,' she said. 'We don't wear those shoes … the decisions they make at that time, we can't judge them.'
The rally organiser, Lawrence Henzell, called for 'an army of civilians' to support the former Special Air Service Regiment soldier. Henzell, who sells shirts supporting Roberts-Smith, said profits go to a trust set up in the former soldier's name. He warned of potential violence if supporters' concerns are not addressed.
Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, faces five charges of war crime murder over allegations he killed unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. He has denied all allegations. Some supporters travelled long distances, including Tammy Hickey, who rode over 12 hours from Cunnamulla, Queensland, saying her father would be 'horrified' at Roberts-Smith's treatment.
