Senior politicians have defended the decision to allow alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith to attend the opening of a major new gallery at the Australian War Memorial.
All living Victoria Cross recipients have been invited to the official opening of the memorial's atrium and Anzac Hall, a gallery focusing mainly on Australia's commitments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations.
Despite a looming trial for five counts of the war crime of murder, Roberts-Smith has successfully had his bail varied to attend the event on Tuesday evening.
It was appropriate for the Afghanistan veteran to be there as a recipient of Australia's highest military honour, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
"The Victoria Cross recipients have been invited to this, which is appropriate. I'm comfortable about that," he told ABC TV on Tuesday.
