The Collaery trial, open courts and justice

By Binoy Kampmark

October 18, 2021

Bernard Collaery
Former ACT attorney-general Bernard Collaery had been charged with five offences. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

It is proving to be one of the most important trials in the short history of Australian national security. Former ACT attorney-general Bernard Collaery faces five charges alleging breaches of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 (Cth) in communicating information prepared by or on behalf of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) in connection with its functions to a number of ABC journalists. It is also said that he conspired with “Witness K” (recently convicted) in communicating such information to the Government of Timor-Leste that had been “prepared by or on behalf of ASIS in connection with its functions.

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