Скачать или смотреть David McBride Sentencing Press Conference

With David McBride, Mark Davis, Bernard Collaery, Kieran Pender, David Shoebridge, Karen Percy, Troy Stolz, Jeff Morris, Michael West, Emma Davidson, Saffran Duggan, Jodie Harrison, Craig Andrews, Sue Wareham & Rex Patrick.

"The Defence Force was not being allowed to do its duty properly, but purely provided window-dressing for the benefit of the Minister's popularity," says Major David McBride.

"Whether it was the awarding of medals for bravery, or the cover-up of alleged war crimes, what seemed to matter most was what would play best with domestic voters."

At his trial in November last year, Major McBride was denied any defence by the judge's dual-ruling; that documents he was relying on could not be used in his defence due to 'National Security', and that ADF soldiers duty was not to the Australian people. Their duty was to only follow orders.

In light of those two rulings - on Day 5 of the trial - Major McBride had no choice but to change his plea to guilty.

Says Major David McBride: "I've met a lot of inspiring people in my 10-year battle for truth and justice. When I'm locked up sitting in a cold six-by-four-metre prison cell in Canberra, I will get strength from those who have supported my long fight to ensure the ADF protects Australia and not simply politicians."

Says retired Australian Army Officer and journalist Stuart McCarthy for Michael West Media: "At the heart of (the McBride prosecution) lies abuse of power, patronage and arse-covering at the highest levels of Defence and government, where the truth counted for nothing."

Says Rex Patrick, former senator, Royal Australian Navy Sub-Mariner and founder of the Whistleblower Justice Fund: "It's surreal that the only person that been prosecuted in relation to war crimes committed in Afghanistan is the person that revealed the crimes."
“We need to protect whistleblowers like David McBride and Richard Boyle, not persecuted them. The only thing the pursuit of whistleblowers does is put in place a chilling effect on other people who want to call out wrong doing”

Friday 3 May is World Press Freedom Day.
Read the WJF's statement on why we should protect whistleblowers and media sources

Media contact:
Jodie Harrison 0425 754 370 [email protected]