One Nation corflutes backing alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith spark legal warning

In the heart of the Farrer by-election campaign, One Nation has ignited controversy by erecting corflutes featuring alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith. The signs, emblazoned with "He fought for us. One Nation stands with him," appeared outside pre-polling booths, drawing immediate criticism and legal warnings.

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He fought for us. One Nation stands with him.

One Nation candidate David Farley, authorized by party leader Pauline Hanson, stated that the party is the sole political entity supporting Roberts-Smith and aims to appeal to Farrer's significant veteran population. This move, however, has drawn sharp rebukes. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has officially advised political parties against using images of current or former personnel in campaign materials, citing concerns over politicizing defense matters and potential legal ramifications. Legal experts also caution against commentary on ongoing court cases.

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One Nation is the only party which has expressed support for Ben Roberts-Smith and we're making sure voters in Farrer — where many veterans live — know it. Our support for him reflects our strong commitment to support all Australian veterans much better than the Labor government currently does.

Veteran and Greens candidate Richard Hendrie expressed discomfort with the politicization of veterans, emphasizing the ADF's role in serving government policy rather than partisan interests. He highlighted the distress such tactics cause within the veteran community, which deserves a voice on these issues. The use of Roberts-Smith's image, who faces serious war crime charges, has become a focal point, raising questions about ethical campaigning and the exploitation of military service for political gain in Australia.

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Defence respectfully requests political parties and those standing for political office to refrain from using imagery of former or current ADF personnel as part of any campaign material.

This incident underscores a broader tension in Australian politics regarding the use of military figures and national symbols in campaigns. While One Nation frames its support as a commitment to veterans, critics view it as a cynical attempt to leverage a controversial figure for votes, potentially undermining respect for the ADF and the legal process. The debate reflects differing perspectives on patriotism, justice, and the appropriate role of the military in public discourse.

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They're there to serve the interests of the foreign policy and domestic policy of the government of the day and the parliament of the day.