Australia’s most decorated soldier, VC recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, was driven to the brink of suicide by a relentless witch hunt. Now Anthony Albanese’s government is trying to lock him up for life. He hit absolute rock bottom after years of allegations. “There were many times I thought it might be a better option for my family if I just took my own life,” he said. What stopped him was his kids, and the realisation that suicide would let his accusers claim victory and brand him guilty forever. For four years he stayed silent during the defamation case, trusting the system. He was wrong. Nine slaughtered his reputation while he said nothing. Now he’s speaking out because the scales are being tipped against him. “The public has a right to know how the scales of justice are being tipped in favour of the government.” Albanese’s prosecutors have charged him with five war crimes murder counts over 2009 - 2012 engagements. Roberts-Smith insists no civilians were killed, every one involved Taliban fighters. Judges and bureaucrats are second guessing split second battlefield decisions from lounge chairs. Australia’s highest decorated living soldier faces the prospect of dying in prison while Albanese’s government presses ahead. He trusted the process once. He’s not doing it again. The public deserves to see every step. I stand with Ben Roberts Smith.