Nine journalist Nick McKenzie allegedly told of Ben Roberts-Smith’s ex-wife’s planned legal action

Roberts-Smith argues his unsuccessful defamation case against McKenzie and Nine newspapers should be retried because of a miscarriage of justice'

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The Nine journalist Nick McKenzie was told about a legal action Ben Roberts-Smith's ex-wife planned to take against the war veteran ahead of his defamation trial, a court has heard, with the informant allegedly telling him it's always good to be on the front foot".

On Tuesday the federal court of Australia heard that a friend of Emma Roberts had told McKenzie that Roberts-Smith was planning to notify and write to the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions (CDPP) about an alleged breach" and to restrain any further publications being made".

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This article was amended on 2 May 2025. An earlier version incorrectly stated that Nick McKenzie was told Emma Roberts planned to contact the CDPP. McKenzie was told that Ben Roberts-Smith planned to do this.