The Greens join today with millions of Australians celebrating David McBride's release from prison after he today became eligible for parole.
Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
"My friend David McBride has paid a terrible price for paying the truth. It's a price no whistleblower should ever be made to pay again.
"The Albanese Government has had the power to free David since they got elected and refused to act.
"Labor's Attorney General consented to the ongoing prosecution of David McBride and government agencies pressed for a serious jail sentence for him.
"Labor, just like the Coalition before them, wanted David McBride silenced and together they had him locked up for more than two years.
"David walks out of prison today and he holds his head high, having spoken the truth and faced the full force of the state.
"While David is free, the laws that put him in jail are still standing.
"The Australian Greens are committed to ensuring no more whistleblowers are prosecuted for the crime of telling the truth.
"What happened to David is a case study in why we need real whistleblower protections and how urgent these are.
"Until the laws are fixed, the persecution of David McBride will stand as a warning to every public servant who might one day consider speaking up.
"When I have visited him in prison during his more than 2 years locked up, David's commitment to truth has been unwavering and I know he took immense comfort in the support he has in the community at large.
Thank you David, you went to jail so we could all know the truth."
