Roberts-Smith Arrested, War Memorial Reviews Display

0:00It's April 7th. You're listening to Sydney News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. Ben Robert Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier, got arrested at Sydney airport this morning and hit with five counts of murder as war crimes. From his time in Afghanistan, the Australian war memorial is now reviewing the display for his Victoria Cross in the Hall of Valor, which honors all 102 recipients. That display includes his combat uniform and was already tweaked last year after he lost the big defamation case against nine newspapers. A panel there noted the court ruling, but said he hadn't faced criminal charges back then. Now a spokesperson says they'll update the wording again while keeping the uniform, gear, and medals in place. Reactions are pouring in from politicians. Prime Minister Anthony Albinese and opposition leader Angus Taylor both stayed quiet, saying it's a court matter. The one nation's Pauline Hanson voice full support for Robert Smith and his defense team. While former PM Tony Abbott questioned why charges took so.

1:03Long after years in limbo, two portraits of him were pulled during the memorial's $500 million redevelopment, including one called Pistol Grip. An exhibit on Australia's Afghanistan war opens in June and will cover the Brayerton inquiry into alleged war crimes. Defense won't comment as is before the courts, but the memorial plans to keep watching developments and make changes as needed, letting this story unfold step by step.