Ben Roberts-Smith, the rule of law, and the Australia we are becoming

What “My Two Cents” Means

“My two cents” is a simple Australian vernacular expression: here is my considered view, offered humbly, for what it may be worth.

In this case, my two cents are these: from a national-interest perspective, I stand with Ben Roberts-Smith and believe Australia now needs an immediate off-ramp from this damaging, inordinate and self-destructive process. Whatever he may or may not have done, the process itself has now become nationally corrosive. Declare a mistrial, provide appropriate compensation to those adversely affected, and move on.

Context

I do not write as a lawyer, journalist, judge, politician, or partisan commentator. I write as a retired Australian Army officer, a former combat commander, and a citizen who believes some matters are too important to be left entirely to lawyers, politicians, generals, bureaucrats, committees, procedures and the noise of the daily news cycle.