✍️ SIGN: Protect whistleblowers, not punish them!
The continued prosecutions of whistleblowers David McBride and Richard Boyle remind us of a stark reality: blowing the whistle on misconduct could cost you your freedom or lead to massive legal debt.1
Whistleblowers are the unsung heroes of a healthy democracy, putting everything on the line for the public interest and the greater good. But their continued prosecution sends a chilling warning to those considering exposing wrongdoing. It's time for change.
The power to end this legacy of prosecuting whistleblowers lies in the government's hands, but they'll only act when they feel the pressure from people like us demanding change.
Will you add your voice to this 50,000-strong petition, urging the Labor Government to drop these prosecutions and fix our flawed laws?
Whistleblowers are the unsung heroes of a healthy democracy, putting everything on the line for the public interest and the greater good. But their continued prosecution sends a chilling warning to those considering exposing wrongdoing. It's time for change.
The power to end this legacy of prosecuting whistleblowers lies in the government's hands, but they'll only act when they feel the pressure from people like us demanding change.
Will you add your voice to this 50,000-strong petition, urging the Labor Government to drop these prosecutions and fix our flawed laws?
Whistleblowers are at the heart of a healthy democracy. They risk it all – their freedom, well-being, reputation and career – to expose wrongdoing for the public interest.
When whistleblowers are treated as criminals, it strikes at the very heart of our democratic values and weakens our ability to hold the powerful to account.
But whistleblower protections in Australia are woefully inadequate – instead of protecting those speaking out, people are left vulnerable to severe consequences including jail time.
Under the Morrison Government, a culture of secrecy and cover-up was accelerated in Australia. Journalists were raided, national surveillance laws are now at an all time high, and whistleblowers face prosecution.
In July 2022, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus intervened to drop the charges against Bernard Collaery, whistleblower Witness K's lawyer.2 But he has refused to intervene in the other ongoing prosecutions against whistleblowers Richard Boyle and David McBride. Instead, it was revealed in February 2023 that the Commonwealth has spent over $7.6 million prosecuting whistleblowers in Australia.3 It shows this dark Coalition legacy is now being continued by the Albanese Government – despite intense pressure from GetUp and the community.
Dropping cases against individual whistleblowers is just the tip of the iceberg. To ensure people feel safe to speak out against corruption, wrongdoing, and lies, we need deep reform to our whistleblower protection laws. But no government will ever act without the community stepping up first.
That's where you come in: Will you help power the campaign to stop the war on whistleblowers?
When whistleblowers are treated as criminals, it strikes at the very heart of our democratic values and weakens our ability to hold the powerful to account.
But whistleblower protections in Australia are woefully inadequate – instead of protecting those speaking out, people are left vulnerable to severe consequences including jail time.
Under the Morrison Government, a culture of secrecy and cover-up was accelerated in Australia. Journalists were raided, national surveillance laws are now at an all time high, and whistleblowers face prosecution.
In July 2022, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus intervened to drop the charges against Bernard Collaery, whistleblower Witness K's lawyer.2 But he has refused to intervene in the other ongoing prosecutions against whistleblowers Richard Boyle and David McBride. Instead, it was revealed in February 2023 that the Commonwealth has spent over $7.6 million prosecuting whistleblowers in Australia.3 It shows this dark Coalition legacy is now being continued by the Albanese Government – despite intense pressure from GetUp and the community.
Dropping cases against individual whistleblowers is just the tip of the iceberg. To ensure people feel safe to speak out against corruption, wrongdoing, and lies, we need deep reform to our whistleblower protection laws. But no government will ever act without the community stepping up first.
That's where you come in: Will you help power the campaign to stop the war on whistleblowers?
David McBride is a former Australian Defence Force lawyer turned whistleblower.
McBride put everything on the line to expose alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. He was the key source behind the ABC's investigation The Afghan Files, reported in 2017.
McBride's revelations led to an investigation and to the Brereton report — which found evidence of allegations of unlawful killings. But despite this, the first person to be charged in relation to these crimes is not the perpetrators – but the man who exposed them in the first place.
McBride was set to start his defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, Australia's federal whistleblowing law. If successful, McBride would have avoided a criminal trial by showing his actions as a whistleblower were in the public interest and therefore protected.
However, before his legal team could even mount their defence, the Government excluded McBride's evidence on national security grounds. This forced McBride's legal team to abandon any defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act as there was little prospect of success without the evidence.
In November 2023, McBride pleaded guilty to three out of five charges after the court upheld the decision that his disclosures do not serve public interest. The court has scheduled his sentencing date in March 2024.
McBride put everything on the line to expose alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. He was the key source behind the ABC's investigation The Afghan Files, reported in 2017.
McBride's revelations led to an investigation and to the Brereton report — which found evidence of allegations of unlawful killings. But despite this, the first person to be charged in relation to these crimes is not the perpetrators – but the man who exposed them in the first place.
McBride was set to start his defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, Australia's federal whistleblowing law. If successful, McBride would have avoided a criminal trial by showing his actions as a whistleblower were in the public interest and therefore protected.
However, before his legal team could even mount their defence, the Government excluded McBride's evidence on national security grounds. This forced McBride's legal team to abandon any defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act as there was little prospect of success without the evidence.
In November 2023, McBride pleaded guilty to three out of five charges after the court upheld the decision that his disclosures do not serve public interest. The court has scheduled his sentencing date in March 2024.
Richard Boyle is a former Australian Tax Office employee who became a whistleblower in 2017, when he exposed aggressive and unethical debt recovery measures the Australian Tax Office used against small businesses. After trying to raise his concerns internally, Boyle took his concerns public. His actions led to three reviews and policy reform, which corroborated his concerns.
And yet, Boyle faces criminal charges, which could amount to life in prison for exposing these unethical practices.
For years, Boyle has awaited the outcome of his defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, resulting in serious personal hardship. In March of this year, a court ruled that he was not protected under the Act. He is awaiting the results of his appealing.
His criminal trial is set to begin in September 2024.
And yet, Boyle faces criminal charges, which could amount to life in prison for exposing these unethical practices.
For years, Boyle has awaited the outcome of his defence under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, resulting in serious personal hardship. In March of this year, a court ruled that he was not protected under the Act. He is awaiting the results of his appealing.
His criminal trial is set to begin in September 2024.
SIGN FOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS
To the Albanese Government:
We demand that all current prosecutions against whistleblowers David McBride and Richard Boyle be dropped immediately.
Whistleblower protections must be reformed to protect journalists and their sources.
56,236 signatures
We need 3,764 more
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