Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says ‘certainly wasn’t a government decision’ to award Ben Roberts-Smith

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has distanced himself from King Charles’ decision to honor disgraced war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith.

The country’s most decorated soldier appeared at Western Australia’s Government House this week to receive a Coronation Medal from King Charles III.

The special honor is given to all Victoria Cross winners, an award that Roberts-Smith still holds despite a landmark libel trial that concluded he committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Albanese made it clear today that the decision to recognize Roberts-Smith was made by the king, not his government.

“It was the palace’s decision to give another award to all Victoria Cross winners,” he said in an interview with Weekend Today.

“Legal action is currently being taken on these matters so given the government’s commitment it is important that there is no interference with this.

“But it certainly wasn’t a government decision.

WA Governor Chris Dawson and Buckingham Palace have been approached for comment.

Roberts-Smith was seen leaving Government House with his parents by his side on Thursday.

His latest accolade is likely to cause mixed feelings in light of a civil court ruling last year that reports by nine newspapers – The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times – of allegations that Roberts-Smith unlawfully killed and assaulted unarmed Afghan prisoners , Are correct.

The decision was a historic victory for the media, which the disgraced veteran is appealing and awaiting a decision.