Ben Roberts-Smith interview LIVE updates: Alleged war criminal, Victoria Cross recipient says he ‘doesn’t regret a single thing’ in interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham

Key Posts7.25amSoldiers can’t be larrikins any more: Roberts-SmithBy Daniel Lo SurdoRoberts-Smith has denied accusations of a “cowboy culture” inside the Australian Defence Force, saying that while servicemen used to blow off steam and “take the piss”, they remained professional when they were operating.“We’re Australian soldiers, you want to talk about being larrikins? I know that’s not acceptable in the military. Well, you can’t be a larrikin. But the fact of the matter was, it’s just how blokes lost steam,” he said.Ben Roberts-Smith, pictured uniform at an AFL game in Perth in 2013.Getty Images“But the one thing I do know is when it was game time, or when it was actually happening, the majority of guys were the most professional soldiers you will ever meet.”He rejected accusations that he ever shot a prisoner, nor did he ever witness such a shooting, he said. He also rejected accusations of blooding, or “throw downs”, in the military.“I would do it all exactly the same way because I know that I did the right thing – I know that I was prepared to die for this country every time I went outside the wire and I know it did whatever I could to keep my mates alive, but I never broke the rules of engagement,” he said.7.19am‘I don’t regret a single thing’, says Roberts-SmithBy Daniel Lo SurdoBen Roberts-Smith has said he doesn’t regret “a single thing” about his military career, affirming that he conducted himself the “right way” and “followed the rules”.“I behaved as a soldier should, with honour, and I followed my training,” he told Fordham.Roberts-Smith was asked about his twin teenage daughters, saying it was “hard” to see them exposed to the allegations he now faces.“We have a very, very close relationship, and those girls are who I am as a person and what my values are, without question, because I instil the same values.”He also praised partner, Sarah Matulin, and his parents, especially his mother.“She’s the most loyal person you will ever meet, and her work ethic,” he said. “You know, like she can build something out of nothing. But if you’re mum’s friend, you’re her friend for life, and she’ll be at every fight you’d have.”7.14amRoberts-Smith speaks with FordhamBy Daniel Lo SurdoThe interview on 2GB has begun, with host Ben Fordham asking Roberts-Smith about his welfare after he was charged with war crimes.“I am all right because of the levels of support from my family and the public at large. It’s the bit that gives me solace that I am fighting the good fight,” Roberts-Smith said.“It’s obviously something [criminal charges] I’d rather not be going through, but it is my unfortunate reality, and there’s been good days and bad days for sure.”He said he was motivated to accept the interview to tell his side of the story, and wanted to put “a couple of facts on the table” for listeners to hear.“I really think if you’re going to go through this type of scenario, then you should be given a fair go, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for,” he said.7.14amNot Roberts-Smith’s first media interviewBy Michael BachelardBen Fordham’s interview with Ben Roberts-Smith is billed as his chance to tell his side of the story. He’s “refusing to stay silent any longer,” said the 2GB host, Ben Fordham, when plugging the interview just before 7am.He’s “about to break his silence,” 2GB news claimed. No doubt we’ll be hearing his side, but it’s hardly his first chance to tell it.Ben Roberts-Smith leaves a Federal Court hearing on May 2, 2025.Sam MooyNews Corp outlets published multiple interviews and statements from Ben Roberts-Smith while The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald reporters Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters were investigating his case in 2019.“They’re calling me a murderer,” was the headline on the front page of The Australian in December 2019. In 2018 and 2019, he appeared on Sky News in October 2018 in a sharp suit to describe the Fairfax defence claims as “bewildering” and “completely untrue”. He returned in late 2019 to criticise ADF leadership.Throughout this period, his then-lawyers refused multiple requests for comment from Roberts-Smith to this masthead. Whenever McKenzie or Chris Masters submitted formal requests for comment or detailed allegations, Roberts-Smith’s lawyer, Mark O’Brien, responded with legal warnings, threatening defamation lawsuits.Then, after he initiated legal action and sued The Age, the Herald and The Canberra Times for defamation, Roberts-Smith spent two full weeks on the witness stand – four days of evidence in chief, led by his senior counsel, Bruce McClintock, and then another week in cross-examination.6.35amTapt’s digital push amid Roberts-Smith interviewBy Calum JaspanTom Malone, chief executive of Tapt Media, which owns 2GB and 3AW, said the interview will showcase the company’s digital transformation in its new era owned by pokies and publican billionaire family, the Laundys.The network is using the long-form interview format as part of a new strategy to find audiences on digital platforms outside traditional radio.While selected excerpts of the interview will first air on 2GB, it will premiere in full on YouTube at 9am. The radio stations were formerly owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead, until the Laundys’ purchase at the start of the year.6.15amInside the Roberts-Smith interview By Calum JaspanBen Roberts-Smith is expected to put his side of the story to the public in his first interview since he was charged with five counts of war crime – murder.The interview marks the start of a public relations offensive as he prepares to fight the war crimes charges. He also launched a clothing line and Instagram page last week.Ben Fordham’s interview with Ben Roberts-Smith will be released on Thursday.2GBWhile he has not been paid for the interview, promotional pictures released by 2GB show him wearing his new clothing line Epic 1 Two in the video recording, which will be premiered in full on YouTube in video format at 9am.Tapt Media, owners of 2GB, are using the long-form interview format as part of a new strategy to find audiences on digital platforms outside traditional radio. Host Ben Fordham was allowed to ask Roberts-Smith whatever he wanted under the agreement between 2GB and Roberts-Smith, the station said.Read more here.6.02amRoberts-Smith gives first interview since being chargedBy Daniel Lo SurdoHello and welcome to our live coverage of Ben Roberts-Smith’s interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham.The interview featuring the disgraced war hero, who is on bail while he prepares to fight five counts of war crime – murder, is expected to roll out from just before 7.10am (AEDT) via a selection of hand-picked excerpts on the radio, before it is released in full in a YouTube premiere at 9am. Further excerpts from the interview will be played on 2GB on Friday morning.The publishing of the interview, expected to last 150 minutes in its entirety, will mark the start of a coordinated PR blitz following the launch of his personal clothing line, Epic 1 Two, last week.It is the first interview he has given since he was charged with war crimes.1 of 1