David McBride (left),who went to the ABC to expose alleged war crimes in Afghanistan,and Richard Boyle (right) who blew the whistle about wrongdoing at the Tax Office.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Joe Armao
Since taking office almost a year ago,the Albanese government has taken positive steps to reverse the tide.The Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus,KC,has dropped the prosecution of whistleblower Bernard Collaery, committed to overhauling whistleblowing and secrecy laws and,in February,convened a press freedom summit. These moves should be commended.
But there is one area of glaring inaction. Two whistleblowers remain on trial:Richard Boyle,who blew the whistle to the ABC and this masthead about wrongdoing at the Tax Office;andDavid McBride,who went to the ABC to expose alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
Protection for journalists’ sources is a vital component of press freedom. Together,the media and their sources bring transparency and accountability. Without whistleblowing,public interest journalism is often not possible;and wrongdoing remains hidden. Which is why it is absolutely crucial for press freedom in Australia that whistleblowers are protected,not punished.
Nine’s managing director of Publishing,James Chessell (left),Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor,Peter Greste from the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom,Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus,and Schwartz Media’s Erik Jensen before the press freedom summit meeting in February.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Most Australians agree. New polling released today byThe Australia Institute – undertaken in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Centre – shows that Australians overwhelmingly support whistleblowers. Three-quarters of those polled said whistleblowers make Australia a better place,and even more said whistleblowers needed stronger legal protections (84 per cent),including the establishment of a whistleblower protection authority (79 per cent).
Almost two-thirds of those polled think the McBride case should be discontinued,and even more want the Boyle case to end. Australians understand that there is no public interest to be served in going after whistleblowers,and that these cases undermine press freedom,open government and public accountability.
The attorney-general has the legal authority to end these prosecutions,just as hediscontinued the case against Collaery,the lawyer for ex-spy Witness K,who was accused along with his client of exposing Australia’s unconscionable conduct towards Timor-Leste. These cases are equally exceptional.