It’s wonderful news that Australian Defence Force whistleblower David McBride has been released from prison today on parole.
Mr McBride should never have been in gaol in the first place. The information he provided to the media included evidence of war crimes committed by ADF personnel in Afghanistan — information which formed the basis for the ABC’s Afghan Files. This was undeniably in the public interest.
Mr McBride’s experience is emblematic of the plight many whistleblowers continue to face in this country, including weak legal protections and a succession of antagonistic governments who seem to think it’s better to punish whistleblowers and deter their colleagues, than to celebrate them and respond to their concerns.