Whistleblower David McBride reveals why he leaked documents as Josh Frydenberg defends AFP
Former military lawyer David McBride has revealed why he leaked information that sparked a raid on the ABC, and why he won’t take a plea deal as Josh Frydenberg defended the AFP’s actions.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Whistleblower David McBride has said he will never take a plea deal over leaking classified Defence documents that led to Australian Federal Police raids on the ABC last week.
The former Australian military lawyer insisted he had exposed the documents about the alleged behaviour of soldiers in Afghanistan out of “patriotic duty” as he spoke to media this morning after a brief court appearance at the ACT Supreme Court.
A directions hearing in the 55-year-old’s case has been adjourned for two weeks.
“I’ll never take a plea,” Mr McBride said.
“It’s been suggested to me before.
“I’m absolutely clear about what I did and why I did it.”
He added that he was more afraid of his own conscience if he didn’t speak out than the prospect of jail.
Mr McBride would not go into details of what he saw in Afghanistan or what the documents contained but said it would make people “ashamed” to be Australian.
“I’ve been to the killing fields of Rwanda, I’ve been to Afghanistan under the Taliban - what I saw under the Australian Government in 2013 and the leadership of the ADF was worse than anything I’d ever seen in my life. It was disgusting.”
Mr McBride said he didn’t believe he had breached national security by leaking the documents.
“I don’t ever want to be accused of actually breaching national security,” he said.
“I am a patriot. I still believe in this country. I think what I did was the patriotic duty to stand up for what’s right about this country.”
A lawyer for the prosecution requested a two to three week delay this morning for the directions hearing while the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and government work out how to deal with confidentiality issues involving national security and defence.
Mr McBride didn’t object to the delay beyond saying it seemed a bit long.
It comes as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to act to strengthen legal protections for journalists and whistleblowers after last week’s AFP raids on the ABC and a senior News Corp journalists’ home in Canberra.
Treasurer John Frydenberg refused to condemn raids on journalists, as he took aim at anti-semitism in the British Labour Party at an event in London last night.
Mr Frydenberg was speaking at a Policy Exchange function in the shadows of Westminster.
When asked about whether he personally was concerned about the raids on the ABC and News Corp Canberra political reporter Annika Smethurst this month, he said: “The Prime Minister and I have both been asked about this. The freedom of the fourth estate is absolutely critical.
“A free press is critical to a free society, there’s no debate there.
“But that is different from the statutory obligations of law enforcement agencies... these raids were not on the instigation of particular ministers.
“A free press is fundamental but that’s quite distinct from what took place in this case which was the law enforcement agencies acting in accordance with their statutory obligations.”
The raids were in relation to stories about national security matters and have led to claims that they were at attack on press freedom.
Mr Frydenberg said he did not want to weigh into British politics when asked about Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose party is currently being investigated over claims it has not cracked down on anti-Semitism.
The member for Kooyong, who is Jewish and was subjected to racial attacks before last month’s federal Election, said: “Put it this way, I’m not lining up with Hezbollah,” referring to the Palestinian political party.
Mr Frydenberg’s comprehensive speech highlighted Australia’s record of strong economic growth.
He was also asked about China and United States relations.
He said he hoped “cool heads” would prevail to avoid a drag on the global economy.
Mr Frydenberg’s visit comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in London last week for D-Day services.
Originally published as Whistleblower David McBride reveals why he leaked documents as Josh Frydenberg defends AFP
King Charles to ‘pause’ cancer treatment during Australia tour
King Charles will suspend his cancer treatment during his Australia visit as the monarch prepares for the “most important” 11-day trip.
Last-ditch effort to save Aussie airline
With time running out for the failed regional carrier to secure a new buyer, the Albanese government has been called on to buy in and rescue the company.