The sound of his eldest daughter’s silent crying over the phone in Australia ultimately compelled Afghan Files whistleblower David McBride to risk jail by coming home from Europe.
Her end-of-school father-daughter dance was coming up and she wanted her dad there.
The charismatic former military lawyer from Sydney had been trying to work out his next move after sharing classified documents alleging Australian war crimes in Afghanistan with ABC journalists.
Sure enough, police were waiting for him at the airport when he tried to leave Australia again.
One subsequent controversial trial in Canberra and a postponed sentencing date later, David McBride made a last-minute dash to the Northern Rivers last week to share his story and raise funds for his children via his new book, The Nature of Honour.
Whistleblower says he wouldn’t have survived without his family
Hopes of defending himself by arguing he was honouring his duty to the Australian people were dashed when the judge determined the former military lawyer was legally bound to serve the Crown foremost.
Left with little choice other than to plead guilty, David McBride awaits sentencing, almost certain to include several years in jail.
But while the thought of being away from his children again is costing him his sleep, David McBride says as long as he has their love and respect, it’s worth it.
The former Major has written of his moral pursuits and the price he has paid for sharing damning details of Australian Defence Force activity in The Nature of Honour.
Proceeds of book sales are to go towards the education and care of his two daughters while David McBride is otherwise unable to earn a living, with the still-registered civilian lawyer speaking candidly about some of the thoughts he has of jail.
His greatest concern is that he won’t be able to protect his children from inside four walls, a fear only abated by a strong relationship with their mother.
David McBride speaks highly of his ex-wife, saying the realities and stress of life as a whistleblower are what overcame the marriage.
He wouldn’t have survived without his family, he says.
‘Whatever it takes,’ says former military lawyer of better whistleblower protection
Speaking in Mullumbimby’s ex-services club on Saturday, David McBride shared his thoughts on media coverage of his story to date and Australia’s state of democracy.
While ABC’s Four Corners exposé of what came to be known as The Afghan Files went on to receive a Walkley Award and one of the journalists, Dan Oakes, to receive an Order of Australia Medal, the source of the material relied on, David McBride, faces jail.
Organisers of Saturday’s event, local group Turning Point Talks, featured a short Juice Media video as part of the conversation, in which the anchor said the number of Australian whistleblowers protected so far under whistleblower protection laws was zero.
Despite the lack of change in Australian law since his case started, David McBride says he remains committed to the cause.
The former military lawyer told Saturday’s crowd he was considering representing himself at his upcoming sentencing although he suspected the move could result in a stronger penalty.
The crowd of around fifty, gathered at short notice after the event was announced just days earlier and while Easter activities including BluesFest were happening, heard David McBride vow to do ‘whatever it takes’ to see improved whistleblower protections.
Squinting through adversity to the stars
The irony of his presentation’s venue wasn’t lost on the former British Army major, who said he wanted to see justice for those in charge of the war crimes described in The Afghan Files rather than have those who carried out the deeds receive all the blame.
David McBride spoke in conversation inside the darkened ex-services club with the writer of this article, Mia Armitage, before emerging to squint in harsh sunlight for a photo outside the building where a Royal Australian Air Force plaque displays Latin words for ‘through adversity to the stars’.
Earlier in the week he spoke with Ms Armitage on Bay FM’s drivetime show, The Sandpit, in an emotional rollercoaster ride of an in interview about his dark hours, devotion to his daughters and love of the Northern Rivers.
What better place to spend what could be his last few days of freedom than there, surrounded by beaches, green hills and waterfalls, the whistleblower said.
As for whether he would make it to BluesFest, David McBride laughed and said his story probably made a good blues song, before requesting Johnny Cash’s Walk the Line.
It remains unknown when David McBride will emerge from his darkened legal confines and what he will see when he again squints into the light of freedom.
The former military lawyer turned whistleblower is due to face sentencing on 6 May in Canberra.
David McBride is to speak again in Ballina at The Book Warehouse Tuesday 2 April 10.30am and again at Hemlock’s Books in Woodburn at midday.
David, I would like to thank you on behalf of all the people threatened with loss of job, disgrace, loss of pension, and possible penalties under the Official Secrets Act for proceeding with their knowledge of organised crime in the Federal government and its bureaucracy.