Ben Roberts-Smith joined hundreds of veterans at a national service in Canberra marking 25 years since Australian forces began serving in Afghanistan, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to those killed, wounded or affected by the conflict.
Up to 800 veterans were among about 1,400 former service personnel, politicians and guests at the Australian War Memorial. Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient and former Special Air Service Regiment corporal, attended while facing five charges of war crime murder over alleged executions of Afghan detainees, allegations he strongly denies.
The ceremony commemorated the 47 Australian personnel who died as a result of their service, as well as the families who continue to live with their loss.
Mr Albanese described Afghanistan as an environment demanding constant vigilance, where troops faced explosives, suicide bombers and threats from both outside and within their own ranks.
“What shone brightly amid all of this was the courage of so many Afghans, the soldiers, the interpreters, all who stood against their oppressors and put their own safety on the line to help,” the prime minister said.
He also recognised Australians who returned with physical or psychological injuries, and the families who endured the pride and pain of military service.
About 26,000 to 30,000 Australians served during Operations Slipper and Highroad, with 263 wounded. The campaign included operations against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, counter-insurgency missions and efforts to train Afghan security forces.
Australia’s longest military engagement ended with the withdrawal of international forces, followed by the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Kahlil Fegan, who led multinational teams in Afghanistan, said the outcome had left veterans asking: “Was it worth it? What did we achieve, and how will we be remembered?”
Mr Fegan said military service should not be judged only by political outcomes, but by “duty, courage, sacrifice, and by standing by your mates when it matters”.
Roberts-Smith sat in the front row beside his partner, Sarah Matulin, after receiving permission from a judge to travel from Brisbane to Canberra under strict bail conditions. His prosecution has become a focus of debate about alleged unlawful killings by Australian special forces and the investigation of veterans accused of war crimes. No trial date has been set.
After the service, Roberts-Smith spent more than 30 minutes signing autographs and posing for photographs with veterans, their families and members of the public. He said the event was not about his own service.
“I’m here because tens of thousands of Australians contributed to the campaign in Afghanistan, and they did fantastic work, and that should never be forgotten,” he said.
Victoria Cross recipient Dan Keighran also attended, alongside former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Defence Force chief Admiral Mark Hammond and senior military figures were among those present.
Janny Poate, whose 23-year-old son Robert was killed in a “green on blue” attack, read a tribute to the families who waited, worried and endured separation and loss.
Mr Albanese said the service of Australian personnel demonstrated what was worth fighting for, whatever the eventual outcome of the conflict.
