“Mistake” claim after comment accusing Andrew Hastie—Ben Roberts-Smith case

Instagram “mistake” – An Instagram comment by Ben Roberts-Smith’s partner calling Andrew Hastie a “traitor” was described as a “mistake,” as the criminal case nears and public scrutiny intensifies.

A single sentence on an Instagram post has again pulled Andrew Hastie and Ben Roberts-Smith into the same public orbit—this time with Anzac Day in the background.

Misryoum reports that Roberts-Smith’s partner. Sarah Matulin. has admitted a comment accusing the Liberal MP of being a “traitor” was “a mistake” made in a public forum.. The remark was linked to a post on Hastie’s Instagram account that commemorated Anzac Day. honouring fallen service members and the Australian Defence Force.

The comment—since deleted—was attributed to Matulin. and was described in reporting as “Yeah you’re a traitor.” In a statement communicated through Roberts-Smith’s legal representative. Misryoum understands the position was that it should not have been made openly and was not done with Ben Roberts-Smith’s knowledge.. For now. the exchange remains small in size but large in impact: online accusations can travel quickly. and the legal calendar can turn that speed into added pressure.

For Hastie, the situation sits at the intersection of politics, public advocacy, and an active set of proceedings.. Misryoum notes that Hastie says his ability to respond publicly is restricted because the matter is tied to a criminal trial where Roberts-Smith—an alleged war crimes defendant—faces serious charges.. Hastie is also expected to be called as a witness. which makes the “careful about what I’ve said” theme more than a general principle.. It becomes a practical necessity when statements can be treated as evidence-adjacent material in the public sphere.

The case itself has been moving through different legal phases with different standards. a detail that often gets lost in fast-moving discourse.. Misryoum also notes that Roberts-Smith previously lost a defamation lawsuit connected to allegations published by outlets including Nine-owned Fairfax Media.. In defamation matters. the threshold for what is accepted in court can operate differently than the higher bar required for criminal conviction.

Roberts-Smith was arrested on 7 April and charged over allegations involving Afghanistan. including the alleged murder of unarmed detainees while deployed between 2009 and 2012.. The charges reportedly centre on alleged unlawful killings in Uruzgan province. including allegations that he directly murdered two Afghans and assisted. aided. encouraged. or arranged the killing of three more.. Those are not abstract claims; they frame how the public. the legal system. and the political class respond—often with competing instincts about accountability. service. and justice.

This is where the “mistake” admission lands emotionally, too.. Misryoum can see why a partner’s words matter: people close to an accused person often become part of the story. whether they mean to or not.. Even if a comment is later deleted, the internet’s memory can outlast the intent behind it.. In a case where fairness and presumption of innocence are central principles. any public accusation can be treated as fuel—by supporters. by critics. and by everyone watching for signals.

There is also a broader social dimension.. Anzac Day is traditionally a day of national reflection—service, sacrifice, and remembrance.. That is why the choice of setting—a commemorative Instagram post—matters.. The juxtaposition can sharpen public emotions: what is meant as honour can feel. to some. like endorsement. and what is meant as grief can be used by others as a platform for confrontation.. Misryoum expects that tension will continue to play out. particularly as the trial approaches and attention cycles back to highly charged questions about military conduct.

Meanwhile, political leaders are working the delicate line between defence of an individual and deference to legal process.. Misryoum notes that Opposition leader Angus Taylor publicly defended Hastie’s record when asked about the post. framing Hastie as someone who served with distinction and situating the remarks inside the Anzac Day commemorative lens.. That kind of response can be read two ways: as support for a veteran’s legacy. and as an attempt to keep the political centre of gravity away from allegations.

Looking ahead. the immediate takeaway from Matulin’s “mistake” admission may be less about the specific insult and more about what it reveals: the case continues to generate public narratives. and people around the accused are still interacting—however cautiously—with the outside world.. For Misryoum, that means the story is likely to remain volatile online even as legal outcomes are pending.

In practical terms. the public will watch for how Hastie communicates. what is said and what is avoided. and whether courtroom processes tighten the space for commentary.. For Matulin. the shift from public remark to correction suggests the reality that private loyalty and public consequences can collide quickly.. And for everyone following the Roberts-Smith saga. Misryoum expects this moment to underscore a familiar lesson: when courts and social media overlap. “a mistake” is sometimes the start of the next round of scrutiny.