The federal government has unveiled fresh multi-million-dollar funding to probe alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan, following the charges laid against Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith.
Funding for the Office of the Special Investigator
The funding will bolster the ongoing work of the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), which was established after the Brereton Inquiry into alleged unlawful killings by Australian special forces personnel in Afghanistan. The OSI collaborates with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to investigate and support prosecutions related to alleged war crimes.
Roberts-Smith charges
Roberts-Smith was arrested by the AFP at Sydney Airport in April and charged with five counts of the war crime of murder, allegations he denies. Prosecutors allege the offences occurred during deployments to Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Record defence package
The additional OSI funding is part of a record defence package in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, with the government committing an extra $53 billion to Defence over the next decade. Budget papers describe the spending increase as part of a broader push to strengthen Australia’s preparedness and resilience amid growing geopolitical instability and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The government stated that the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program would continue transforming the Australian Defence Force into an “integrated, focused force” capable of responding to “current and emerging threats”. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the investments were about keeping “Australians and our region safe”.
Veterans support
Alongside the defence spending boost, the budget includes almost $800 million in new funding to support veterans and their families in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. This includes $169.7 million over five years to increase fees for allied health providers treating veterans, described by the government as the largest investment in veteran allied health fees in more than two decades.
