Whistleblower lawyer represents whistleblower in Australia

A lawyer charged with conspiring to reveal classified information to expose a diplomatic scandal appeared in a Canberra court on Friday representing ar alleged whistleblower charged with leaking secret documents alleging military misconduct in Afghanistan.

lawyer, Bernard Collaery, appeared in Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court for David McBride, a former army lawyer who mits leaking classified documents about Australian Special Air Service Regiment involvement in Afghanistan war to Australian Brocasting Corp. reporters.

Both are at center of a campaign in Australia to wind back national security laws that infringe on press freedom and to provide legal protections for whistleblowers who expose government wrongdoing.

documents McBride leaked formed basis of an ABC investigation brocast in 2017. ABC reported growing unease in Australian Defense Force leership about culture of special forces, and that Australian troops h killed unarmed men and children in 2013.

Collaery will stand trial this year charged with conspiring with a former spy to reveal classified information supporting an allegation that Australia illegally bugged East Timor’s government during negotiations over sharing of billions of dollars in oil and gas revenue in 2004.

Former East Timorese Presidents Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos-Horta and well as former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans have sworn affidavits to be used by Collaery’s defense team.

spy, kwn only as Witness K, has indicated he will ple guilty.

Collaery told court on Friday that re would be a hearing on wher McBride was immune from prosecution under Public Interest Disclosure Act because documents were leaked in public interest. That hearing will likely be held in September.

McBride was released on bail until his next court appearance on Feb. 24.

McBride h been representing himself in his court appearances until Friday and h hoped for a trial early this year.

On Thursday, he launched a GoFundMe appeal for legal funds that said: “I am facing 50 years in prison for blowing whistle on Australian Defense Force's unethical, harmful and highly politicized leership.”

“I need a solicitor to organize case and I guess I’ve become convinced that case is bigger than me and se issues need to be properly ventilated,” McBride told reporters outside court.

McBride said he qualified for legal aid and h me inquiries to Legal Aid Commission, but “it just seemed like y weren’t going to take government on.”

“I’m justified in exposing corruption and I need a lawyer who is going to run that line,” McBride said.

McBride said he h hired lawyer Natalija Nikolic, but Collaery was t a permanent part of his legal team.

More than a dozen free speech vocates demonstrated in support of McBride outside court.

“Covering up war crimes is what endangers us,” demonstrator James Lindsay said. “It endangers who we are.”