STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator SHOEBRIDGE (New South Wales) (13:54): My friend David McBride has finally walked out of jail. He's finally walked out and felt the sun on him and the sense of freedom. He can go about, catch up with his family and regain his life after two years in jail—more than two years.

He was put there by a political system that was frightened of the truth. He was put there because he dared to come out and tell the truth about the role of Defence leadership and how they got a 'get out of jail free' card for the investigation of war crimes. David McBride went to jail so that we could all know the truth, and there is a shameful lack of action from this place to make sure it doesn't happen again—because it's not just David.

Richard Boyle was persecuted for years by his own government for telling the truth about what the tax office was doing, destroying people's businesses and lives. I want to thank David for having the courage and the principle of never saying he was wrong, never giving in and insisting that, if you want to be a proud Australian and you want to be the dad your kids can respect, sometimes you need to stand up to the state, tell the truth and stick to your principles.

And, bloody hell, David McBride has done that in spades. I have been there and seen him in jail. I've seen the toll it has taken on him, on his health and just on his life.

I am so grateful, and I know I'm joined by millions of Australians sharing that gratitude that we have people like David McBride who, in the face of governments that want to silence them and hide the truth, are willing to do what it takes. Thanks, David.