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Truth, Lies and War Crimes: The Case of Ben Roberts-Smith

How difficult is it in Australia to tell the truth? Two of Australia’s most decorated investigative journalists, Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters, unravel the story of Ben Roberts-Smith and the defamation trial of the century. 
Live Event

Event and Ticketing Details

Dates & Times

Tuesday 25 July
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Location

The Wheeler Centre

176 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

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Accessibility

Accessible toilets available

Assistive Listening

Wheelchair accessible

Please notify us of all access requirements when booking online so we can assist you with your visit. If you require further information, please contact reception on 03 9094 7800 or ticketing@wheelercentre.com.

Additional Notes

[modula id="24936"] The Bookseller for this event is Hill of Content Bookshop.
THIS EVENT IS CURRENTLY BOOKED OUT Please contact ticketing@wheelercentre.com to join the waitlist. A live stream of this event is available from 6.30pm AEDT 25 July to 11.5pm AEDT Monday 31 July 2023. Bookings available here.

About the Event

The case brought by Roberts-Smith, once Australia’s most revered soldier, against Fairfax Media, was one of the most significant in our legal history. The trial marked the first time an Australian court has assessed accusations of war crimes by Australian forces – and answered questions about Australia’s unique defamation laws, journalistic integrity, and some of the myths on which our nation is built. 

Live at the Wheeler Centre for a special Fifth Estate event, host Sally Warhaft speaks with Masters and McKenzie, the two fearless reporters who covered the story from the first rumours of war crimes to the federal courtroom of Justice Anthony Besanko.  

This event is presented in partnership with The Age. 

Featuring

Chris Masters

Chris Masters PSM is one of Australia's best-known and most influential investigative journalists. His 1987 exposure of corruption in Queensland led to a public inquiry and reform. His 1983 report on corruption in Rugby league and in the NSW judiciary led to a Royal Commission and judicial reform. His fearless pursuit of the truth has seen him win five Walkleys for his journalism over five decades. Masters spent extended periods embedded with Australian forces, including special forces, during Australia’s longest war in Afghanistan, and he is respected for the depth of his knowledge of the Australian Army. He is the author of the bestselling Jonestown, Uncommon Soldier and No Front Line.
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Nick McKenzie

Nick McKenzie is one of the nation's most decorated investigative journalists, having been named Australian Journalist of the Year on four separate occasions. Over two decades, he has worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Four Corners program, Nine's 60 Minutes and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers. His reporting spans politics, defence, foreign affairs, the criminal justice system, corporate crime and social affairs. He has been awarded the Walkley, Australia's highest journalism award, a record fourteen times.
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Sally Warhaft

Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year ...

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