Australian Defence Force was ‘tracking’ social media over Anzac Day protest supporting Ben Roberts-Smith

Australian Defence Force representatives were “tracking” members of the public, veterans and military personnel on Facebook after thousands issued their support of Australia’s most highly decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, following war crime charges being laid against him in the lead up to Anzac Day.

The Nightly can reveal internal correspondence between military officials, obtained under freedom of information laws, shows Australian Defence Department members were monitoring and documenting evidence of a “protest movement” across social media in the lead up to April 25.

Now, Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel, Phillip Thompson has questioned whether ADF officials will be tracking social media accounts again before Remembrance Day, in a move he described as “disgraceful”, rather than being focused on being war-ready.

Protesters were calling for members of the public, veterans and ADF personnel to wear a green ribbon on ANZAC Day in objection to war crime murder charges laid against the Victoria Cross recipient.

Documents released through the Freedom of Information requests said protesters described the movement as a “quiet, respectful show of solidarity for fellow service personnel who many feel they have been poorly treated by the Government and the broader political process”.

In the document release, military personnel appeared to share a series of social media posts of members of the public with top brass.

“Find below social media engagement (mainly from Facebook) regarding plans to protest charges,” an ADF representative said. “Ideas include wearing a green ribbon across medals on Anzac Day.”

An Australian Navy representative, two days before ANZAC Day raised the issue again, flagging to senior representative in case they weren’t “tracking” themselves.

Another Navy Public Affairs Operations representative told representatives that “under no circumstances are any Anzac Day images depicting displays of these unapproved uniform changes to be cleared for public display”.

Meanwhile, correspondence from representatives of Army Headquarters public affairs and operations also shared “examples of medals and accoutrements being worn in a manner not permitted for uniformed members”.

“Images depicting these are not to be cleared,” the correspondence warned. “Please also note that the addition of green ribbon to uniforms or medals is not approved for uniformed members on Anzac Day or at any other time.”

When the Australian Defence Force was asked why personnel saw the need to track and record social media posts from members of the public, veterans and personnel, a spokeswoman did not provide a reason for the tracking.

A Defence spokeswoman said: “in the lead up to Anzac Day, guidance in relation to the wearing of medals was sent to each Service”. “Guidance is governed by each Service’s Dress Manual, and the guidelines for service dress policy was established by the Governor‐General.

“Uniformed members are expected to uphold Defence values and behaviours at all times, including in the way they wear their uniforms,” she said following the release of the documents.

“Defence has not received any official reports of serving personnel wearing non-approved ribbons in relation to this.”

But Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel, Phillip Thompson, a veteran himself, said “armchair generals” allowing the tracking of civilians, veterans and serving members was “pretty disgraceful”.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” he said. “These armchair generals are trying to to paint someone into being guilty before they’ve even gone to court.

“It’s such an overreach for Defence to use their assets to take photos of civilians, mind you, as well as veterans and still serving people — imagine if they focused on capability and delivering Defence industry on time and on budget.

“Imagine if Defence and these generals focused on what they should be, which is getting our people front side focused to fight in wars instead of focused on those that are supporting another veteran.“

Mr Thompson said it was concerning that officials could be continuing the tracking of veterans, personnel and civilians in the lead up to Remembrance Day, when they should be “honouring those paid the ultimate sacrifice”.

“I think it goes much deeper,” he said. “This is an overreach, a massive overreach, and it shows that the Defence Minister Richard Miles hasn’t got his finger on the pulse.

“He should be directing his generals to prepare for the for the next war not be tracking civilians and veterans and defence personnel on what they’re wearing.”

The Department of Defence did not answer The Nightly’s questions as to weather monitoring of public social media pages would be undertaken in the lead up to Remembrance Day.