<
https://theconversation.com/dreyfus-ends-prosecution-of-lawyer-over-alleged-leaking-about-australian-spying-in-against-timor-leste-186555>
"The Albanese government has acted quickly to abandon the prosecution of
Bernard Collaery, who was charged in relation to the leaking of information
about Australia’s alleged spying in Timor-Leste.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said that in taking this decision “I have had
careful regard to our national security interest and the proper administration
of justice.
"It is my view that the prosecution of Mr Collaery should end”.
He said the “decision to discontinue the prosecution was informed by the
government’s commitment to protecting Australia’s national interest, including
our national security and Australia’s relationships with our close neighbours.”
Collaery, 77, is a former ACT attorney-general.
He was the lawyer of the whistleblower known as Witness K, a former Australian
Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) officer.
Witness K received a suspended sentence in 2021 after pleading guilty to
conspiring with Collaery to reveal information about the alleged spying.
Collaery was due to face trial in October on charges alleging breaches of the
Intelligence Services Act."
At last! Years overdue, and should not have happened in the first place.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
