If these brave people are punished for doing the right thing, it will cloud the Albanese government’s legacy
Two Australian whistleblowers are expected to face trial later this year for speaking up about government wrongdoing. Both cases are an injustice of the highest order. If either or both of these brave men go to jail for doing the right thing, for telling the truth, it will permanently cloud the Albanese government’s legacy.
These cases commenced under the Coalition government – the same government that oversaw raids on journalists (the ABC raid was linked to one of the whistleblowers), enacted draconian secrecy laws and failed to act on recommended reform to whistleblowing laws. But the prosecutions continue under the new Labor government.
While working at the tax office, public servant Richard Boyle grew concerned about unethical debt recovery practices targeting small business owners. He spoke up internally and to the tax ombudsman, but his concerns went unheeded. As a last resort, Boyle went to the media.
His whistleblowing has since been vindicated by three separate independent inquiries, resulting in changes to the Australian Taxation Office’s debt recovery practices.
David McBride, a defence lawyer who served in Afghanistan, followed a similar path.
Concerned about serious misconduct by Australian forces, McBride blew the whistle internally, then to police, and eventually to the ABC....
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