Whistleblower David McBride eligible for parole, decision pending from Attorney-General

Former military lawyer David McBride, sentenced to five years and eight months for stealing and passing top-secret defence material, becomes eligible for parole after serving two years and three months at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra. The decision lies with Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, whose department handles parole for federal offenders in the absence of an independent board. A parole grant would allow McBride to finish his sentence in the community under supervision.

His 2017 leak triggered the a journalist at one outlet Files series, revealing alleged illegal killings by Australian soldiers and leading to raids on the broadcaster and his residence. The case has turned McBride into a prominent figure in discussions about national security and whistleblower rights, with the Information Rights Project reporting more than 2,700 emails urging his release. New legislation to create an independent parole board has been passed but is not expected to be operational until later in 2026.