Attorney General Mark Dreyfus

Question 1

Mark Dreyfus

Answer 1

• Background:
  
  • Commonwealth Attorney-General (Feb-Sep 2013, June 2022 – present)
  • Shadow Attorney-General (2013 – 2022)
• Actions and Statements:
  
  • Strengthened Australia’s public sector whistleblowing framework in 2023
  • Proposed scrapping one fifth of existing secrecy offences
  • Aims to protect journalists from prosecution for public interest journalism

Question 2

Bernard Collaery Case

Answer 2

• Timeline:
  
  • 2004: ASIS bugging operations in Timor-Leste.
  • 2012: Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister exposed the spying operation.
  • 2013: Bernard Collaery represented Timor-Leste; ASIO raided his office.
  • 2018: Collaery and Witness K charged with disclosing information.
  • 2020: Supreme Court ruled Collaery’s trial to be held in secret.
  • 2021: Witness K received a suspended sentence; Collaery continued to fight charges.
  • 2022: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus dropped charges against Collaery in July​
• Government Concerns:
  
  • Ending Collaery’s prosecution might increase pressure to drop charges against other whistleblowers like David McBride and Richard Boyle

Question 3

Proposed Whistleblower Protection Commission

Answer 3

• Background:
  
  • Part of ALP’s 2019 election promise
  • Aims to enhance protections and ensure proper handling of whistleblower disclosures
• Objectives:
  
  • Oversee and support whistleblowers
  • Investigate complaints thoroughly and impartially
  • Protect whistleblowers from retaliation
• Current Status:
  
  • Government assessing the necessity of a new body
  • Part of broader reforms to strengthen whistleblower protections
• Support:
  
  • Advocates like MP Helen Haines stress the need for a dedicated commission for federal integrity and accountability
• Criticism:
  
  • Concerns about slow implementation of reforms.
  • Risk that whistleblowers may face significant dangers without a dedicated body
• Legislative Context:
  
  • Proposed alongside reforms to enhance government transparency and accountability
• Future Outlook:
  
  • Commission’s creation under consideration; debates on its necessity and impact ongoing
  • Potentially vital role in protecting whistleblowers and ensuring effective action on disclosures