Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted a commemorative event in Canberra to mark the 25th anniversary of Australia’s military involvement in Afghanistan. The event was attended by various politicians and military veterans. Among those present was Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service (SAS) corporal and Victoria Cross recipient.

The presence of Roberts-Smith at the official function drew attention due to his ongoing legal and public controversies regarding his conduct during his service in Afghanistan. While the event was intended to honor the service and sacrifice of Australian personnel over the two-and-a-half-decade mission, the inclusion of Roberts-Smith served as a focal point for media reporting on the ceremony. The government has not provided specific commentary on the guest list or the implications of his attendance at the official commemoration.

There is no disagreement regarding the core facts of the event: the ceremony took place, it was hosted by the Prime Minister, and Roberts-Smith was in attendance. However, the significance of his presence is interpreted differently across the public discourse, with some viewing it as a standard invitation for a decorated veteran and others viewing it as a controversial choice given the findings of recent inquiries into special forces conduct.