Breaking: Jailed whistleblower David McBride to be released after becoming eligible for parole

Jailed whistleblower David McBride to be released after becoming eligible for parole Jailed whistleblower David McBride is set to be released from a Canberra prison, after being granted parole by Attorney-General Michelle Rowland. The former military lawyer has served more than two years in jail, after being convicted in 2024 for stealing top-secret defence material and sharing it with journalists. His aim was to expose what he believed was the "over-investigation" of soldiers in Afghanistan. But his decision backfired, with the ABC's The Afghan Files story instead revealing allegations that Australian soldiers were involved in illegal killings. McBride became eligible for parole today. He will serve a further three years of his sentence in the community under supervision and conditions. A spokesperson for the attorney-general said McBride's "parole was considered and granted". "The government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters,"the spokesperson said. 'David can now hold his head high' McBride's lawyer Edwina Lloyd said in a statement that "the attorney-general's decision to grant David McBride parole is the right one". "David's life has been defined by service to Australia — first as an ADF legal officer and then through 27 months in custody, separated from his family and his freedom, which he endured with dignity and at immense personal cost," Ms Lloyd said. "Whatever conclusions the courts reached about the role of the public interest in his case, the hundreds of letters and postcards David received in jail, together with the sustained media attention, leave no doubt that his case matters deeply to the Australian public. "David can now hold his head high as he is reunited with his family, friends and beloved dog, Jake, knowing that his stand for accountability has strengthened our democracy." [Image text:] WIAPRIORE P DRC ww