The mother of disgraced war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith personally intervened in Australian politics by emailing Coalition MPs to vehemently oppose Andrew Hastie ever becoming Liberal leader, The Guardian can reveal.
Lynette Roberts-Smith's extraordinary lobbying campaign emerged just days after her son lost his landmark defamation case against three Australian newspapers. The correspondence, sent to multiple parliamentarians, explicitly objected to Mr Hastie's potential leadership bid based on his role in the lengthy legal proceedings.
Political Fallout from Historic Defamation Case
The email campaign represents a remarkable attempt to influence internal party dynamics following one of Australia's most significant defamation trials. Mr Hastie, a former SAS captain and respected parliamentarian, had provided testimony during the case that proved damaging to Roberts-Smith's claims.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the emails circulated among Coalition members in the aftermath of the Federal Court's ruling that found newspapers had proven substantial truth in their reporting about Roberts-Smith's conduct in Afghanistan.
Contentious Relationship Between Military Peers
The communication highlights the deeply strained relationship between two former SAS comrades whose paths diverged dramatically. Mr Hastie, who chairs parliament's intelligence and security committee, has established himself as a prominent voice on defence matters.
Meanwhile, Roberts-Smith faces potential criminal investigation after Justice Anthony Besanko found him complicit in the murder of unarmed Afghans, among other war crimes allegations.
Political Reactions and Ethical Questions
The revelation has sparked concerns about inappropriate political influence and the boundaries of legitimate lobbying. Several MPs who received the correspondence reportedly found its timing and content concerning, coming immediately after the court's devastating findings against Roberts-Smith.
Political analysts suggest the attempt to discredit Mr Hastie's leadership prospects may ultimately backfire, potentially strengthening his position within the party as a figure willing to confront difficult truths about Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan.
The Liberal Party has thus far declined to comment on internal communications between MPs and constituents, while neither Lynette Roberts-Smith nor representatives for Ben Roberts-Smith have responded to requests for comment.
