A whistleblower who handed over damning defence secrets to journalists has been released from a Canberra prison after being granted parole.
David McBride, who served more than two years after stealing top secret defence material, is beginning life on the outside following his release on Thursday morning.
However, news of his release was bittersweet for campaigners who fought for him after he revealed he was being treated for early-stage lung cancer.
The former military lawyer was jailed in 2024 after he was convicted of three charges, including theft and sharing documents classified as secret, and sentenced to five years and eight months in jail.
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However, he became eligible for parole on August 13 this year, with Attorney-General Michelle Rowland granting his application.
"Mr McBride's parole was considered and granted. The government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters," a spokesman for the Attorney-General said.
The 62-year-old will now serve the remainder of his sentence in the community under supervision and conditions.
His freedom was campaigned for by The Information Rights Project, a charity founded by Gabriel Shipton, brother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
It was through this organisation that McBride released his first public comments since being granted parole.
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