“DON’T TURN US INTO A JOKE”
Ben Roberts-Smith, one of Australia’s most decorated yet controversial military veterans, has launched a blistering attack on the federal government’s decision to allow more ISIS brides to return to the country, declaring that Australia is turning itself into an international “joke” by welcoming back individuals who once abandoned the nation to join a terrorist death cult.
In a fiery public statement that has dominated headlines and social media, the Victoria Cross recipient did not hold back as he condemned what he described as “dangerous weakness” and “moral madness” in Australia’s immigration and national security policies.
“They abandoned Australia to follow those bastards who wanted to destroy this country. Now that they’ve been kicked out by the very people they joined, they come crawling back here expecting our help?” Roberts-Smith said.
He went even further, accusing successive Australian governments of betraying the Australian people by prioritising the rights of former ISIS supporters over the safety and values of ordinary citizens. His comments have reignited fierce debate about the repatriation of Australian women who joined the Islamic State and their children.
The former SAS soldier then delivered a powerful 15-word ultimatum that has sent shockwaves through the political and media landscape:
“If you bring these t3rr0rists’ wives back, Australia will no longer be my country — deport them all now.”
The blunt declaration immediately caused an explosion in the media. Television panels, radio stations, and online platforms have been flooded with intense reactions, with many praising Roberts-Smith for his courage while others have accused him of inflammatory rhetoric and lacking compassion.
The latest controversy stems from reports that several more Australian women who travelled to Syria and Iraq during the height of the ISIS caliphate are being prepared for return. Some are believed to have used false identities or irregular channels to re-enter the country, prompting serious questions about border security and vetting processes.
Roberts-Smith, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan, argued that allowing these women back without strict accountability sends a dangerous message.
“Why are there people so willing to help those who have harmed their own citizens and their own country?” he asked. “Are they saints, or are they just after the money and votes from these people? Don’t turn us into a joke.”
His strong stance has resonated with a significant portion of the Australian public, particularly in regional areas and among defence force veterans. Many have taken to social media to express support, arguing that national security and loyalty to Australia should be non-negotiable.
However, human rights groups and some political figures have criticised Roberts-Smith’s language, calling it “divisive” and “dehumanising.” They argue that many of the women were themselves victims of coercion and that their young children, born in conflict zones, should not be punished for their parents’ choices.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has so far remained cautious in its response. A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Minister stated that “all returns are subject to rigorous security assessments,” but stopped short of addressing Roberts-Smith’s specific accusations.
The issue has deeply divided the nation. On one side are those who believe Australia has a moral and legal obligation to repatriate its citizens and their children. On the other are those who feel the country is being naive and weak in the face of a genuine terrorism threat.
Roberts-Smith’s intervention is significant not only because of his status as a war hero, but because he represents a growing sentiment among many Australians who feel their government is out of touch with public concerns about immigration, security, and national identity.
In his most pointed criticism yet, the decorated veteran questioned the logic behind welcoming back individuals who had willingly joined a group responsible for countless atrocities.
“They left Australia to support an organisation that wanted to destroy everything we stand for — freedom, democracy, and equality. Now they want the benefits of the very society they rejected? This is not compassion. This is insanity,” he said.
The 15-word ultimatum has become the defining moment of the controversy. Political analysts suggest it has forced the government into a difficult position, as public opinion appears to be shifting strongly against further returns without much stricter conditions.
As the debate intensifies, questions are being raised about how many ISIS-linked individuals have already returned to Australia and what monitoring is in place. Security experts warn that some returnees may still hold radical ideologies, while others could become targets for radicalisation themselves.
For Ben Roberts-Smith, this latest public stand is consistent with his history of speaking his mind, even when it proves unpopular. While he remains a polarising figure due to past legal battles, his willingness to address uncomfortable truths continues to earn him strong support from large sections of the community.
The ISIS brides scandal, which many hoped had faded into the background, has once again exposed deep fault lines in Australian society — between security and humanity, between justice and forgiveness, and between national loyalty and international obligations.
As Australia grapples with these complex moral and security questions, Ben Roberts-Smith’s powerful message continues to echo: Australia must not turn itself into a joke by rolling out the red carpet for those who once turned their backs on the country in its hour of need.
Whether his words will lead to meaningful policy change or simply deepen existing divisions remains to be seen. What is certain is that the conversation about who belongs in Australia, and under what conditions, has been reignited with unprecedented intensity.
