David McBride and the Afghan Files

Question 1

David McBride

Answer 1

• Former military lawyer
• Leaked 235 Defence documents (207 classified as ‘secret’) to journalists
• Intended to prove wrongful accusations of war crimes against Special Forces officers
• Charged with theft and sharing classified secrets
• Sentenced to five years and eight months in jail (non-parole period: two years and three months)

Question 2

Dan Oakes/Afghan Files

Answer 2

• ABC journalist Dan Oakes
• Used McBride’s leaked documents to report on war crimes by Australian Special Forces
• ‘Afghan Files’ exposed unlawful killings and misconduct in Afghanistan
• Charges against Oakes were dropped on public interest grounds

Question 3

AFP Search Warrants and Prosecution

Answer 3

• Australian Federal Police (AFP) raided ABC Sydney offices over the ‘Afghan Files’
• No secret documents found at ABC during the raid
• AFP continued prosecution of David McBride
• Case underscores tension between national security and free speech, and government stance on whistleblowers