Anthony Besanko
Justice Anthony Besanko is an Australian judge known for his work in the Federal Court, where he has presided over significant cases, including Ben Roberts-Smith's high-profile defamation trial, which concluded with findings against Roberts-Smith regarding allegations of war crimes.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Anthony Besanko was the judge who found that Ben Roberts-Smith's behavior towards Person 17 was intimidating and controlling.
Nine loses bid to keep settlement with Ben Roberts-Smith’s lover secret
Australia· 2026-02-02
In his decision in 2023, then-Federal Court judge Anthony Besanko upheld the newspapers’ truth defence and found to the civil standard of proof that Roberts-Smith was complicit in the murder of four unarmed prisoners.
Nine drops pursuit of Gina Rinehart over Roberts-Smith millionsAustralia· 2025-10-01Justice Anthony Besanko found that Roberts-Smith was complicit in the murder of four unarmed civilians.
Kim Beazley defends decision to deny Chris Masters book prizeAustralia· 2025-09-15
Anthony Besanko upheld the newspapers’ truth defence in the case against Ben Roberts-Smith.
Gina Rinehart, Ben Roberts-Smith and the legal bills mysteryAustralia· 2025-09-05
Anthony Besanko upheld the newspapers’ truth defence in the case.
Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation appeal bid thrown out by High CourtAustralia· 2025-09-04Justice Anthony Besanko found that Nine-owned newspapers had proven to a civil standard that Roberts-Smith was complicit in the murder of four unarmed prisoners.
Ben Roberts-Smith lodges bid to reopen the appeal of his defamation caseAustralia· 2025-03-27
