Trish

LEST WE FORGET. Justice in Australia: When Politics Tips the Scales By Michael Kennedy Australia prides itself on being a fair and just society. Yet recent events show a troubling disparity in how justice is applied — especially when politics and optics come into play. Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross recipient, served his country with extraordinary courage in one of the most complex and dangerous conflicts of our time. Yet he now faces legal scrutiny for actions taken on the battlefield — decisions made in the chaos of war, under conditions most Australians will never fully comprehend. A soldier, acting to protect his troops, stands under the weight of legal and public judgment. Contrast this with the case of Dan Andrews, who was able to leave the scene of a serious accident without facing standard legal procedures, yet continues to receive a government pension and rewards. Meanwhile, many Australians have silently endured the consequences of policy failures — bankruptcies, health crises, and personal hardship — often without accountability from those in power. The imbalance is stark. On one hand, a war hero faces the full force of the law. On the other, powerful political figures appear shielded by position and influence. When political optics begin to shape enforcement, the scales of justice no longer balance — fairness becomes an ideal, not a reality. This is bigger than any one individual. It speaks to systemic issues — political interference, selective accountability, and a growing erosion of public trust in the institutions meant to protect us all equally. Justice must not only be blind — it must be consistent. If Australians are to maintain faith in the system, it must treat soldiers and citizens with the same standard applied to those in positions of power. Anything less risks undermining the very principles this nation was built upon. The question remains: where is the balance, and where is the fairness? Lest we forget.

She got a medal for Covid they have to be joking.