Media Release: Whistleblower guilty plea means Australia criminalises courage
Media Release: Whistleblower guilty plea means Australia criminalises courage | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Media Release: Whistleblower guilty plea means Australia criminalises courage 2025-05-27 Today's guilty plea by whistleblower Richard Boyle is a damning indictment of Australia's broken whistleblower protection laws.
Richard told the truth about appalling practices inside the ATO that unfairly ruined lives and ruined businesses. Today as the Labor government forces a criminal conviction on him, the Greens join with millions of Australians to thank him for his courage and to offer urgent bipartisan support to fix these broken laws. Greens Senator for NSW and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge: "Today ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle has been forced to plead guilty to four criminal charges and the end result is that Australia has now criminalised courage.
“Richard Boyle exposed ATO thuggery and saved countless taxpayers from abuse and for that this government rewarded him with a criminal conviction. This is a national disgrace. "The message that is sent with this is crystal clear, if you dare to expose government wrongdoing, then the government will destroy you.
"Richard Boyle put his career and his freedom on the line to stop people’s lives being smashed by unethical practices in the ATO. He should get a medal for that, not a conviction. "What has happened to Richard, and to other high profile whistleblowers like David McBride, proves that our whistleblower laws are dangerous for whistleblowers.
"This is the moment to act, with a new Parliament and new gross injustice. “The Greens again invite Labor to join with us and use the guaranteed majority in both Houses of Parliament to urgently pass whistleblower reforms so that they do their job and protect truth telling.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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