David McBride's intentions in releasing confidential material might have been 'complex', but assessing intentions for whistleblowers is dangerous.
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The prosecution of David McBride for releasing what were termed “The Afghan Files” relating to war crimes committed by Australian soldiers has long been held to be another example of government overreach and the demonstration of the clear need for better protection of whistleblowers.
While that may still be the case — indeed, Labor has already overhauled whistleblower protections once since coming to office and is planning another tranche of reforms — the circumstances of McBride’s whistleblowing are becoming better known to the consternation of those who thought his was a straightforward case of a whistleblower persecuted.
Politics Editor @BernardKeane
Bernard Keane is Crikey's political editor. Before that he was Crikey's Canberra press gallery correspondent, covering politics, national security and economics.
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