Ben Roberts-Smith’s publicity offensive comes as he prepares to fight criminal charges that, according to supporters, are part of a “deep state” conspiracy. The former SAS soldier faces five counts of war crimes murder and is on bail.
Competition for the first major interview since the charges were laid was intense, with broadcasters Karl Stefanovic and Kyle Sandilands both seeking the exclusive. Roberts-Smith ultimately chose to work with the newly formed Tapt Media, owner of Sydney radio station 2GB and Melbourne’s 3AW, and its star presenter Ben Fordham. The network is using the long-form interview as part of a digital transformation, premiering the full 150-minute discussion on YouTube at 9am on Thursday. Fordham was free to ask whatever he wanted, and Roberts-Smith was not paid for the appearance.
Alongside the interview, Roberts-Smith last week launched a clothing line called Epic 1 Two, a reference to his military call sign. The brand’s website states it is “forged in adversity” and “for the underdog who refuses to stay down.” Critics have noted the contrast between this image and Roberts-Smith’s own background: his father was a Supreme Court judge and a major general in the Army Reserve, he attended Perth’s oldest boarding school, and he has received financial backing from billionaire Kerry Stokes and vocal support from mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, was introduced by Roberts-Smith at the opening of a veterans’ apartment block in Brisbane this month. In republished remarks, she said of his legal battle: “He’s fighting a fight that most of us don’t realise is a fight against the deep state.” One Nation, the party to which Rinehart is a major donor, has adopted Roberts-Smith as a central figure, using his image on campaign materials. Recent polling suggests One Nation supporters view Roberts-Smith more favourably than they do the party’s only lower-house MP, Barnaby Joyce.
Support has also come from News24 presenter Peta Credlin and podcaster Karl Stefanovic, who posted a picture of himself wearing Epic 1 Two merchandise. Further online backing has been noted from One News Australia, formerly a One Nation Supporters Facebook group, and The Noticer, which the original report describes as a white-supremacy-affiliated outlet.
The chief executive of Tapt Media, Tom Malone, said the interview showcases the company’s digital transformation under the ownership of the Laundy family. Whether it moves the dial for 2GB or for Roberts-Smith remains to be seen.