The former Australian Army lawyer was sentenced to a maximum of five years and eight months in jail in May 2024.
After spending over two years in a Canberra prison, whistleblower David McBride has been set free, following a successful parole application.
David McBride’s parole was reviewed and approved on Thursday morning, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland.
The spokesperson commented, “The government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters.”
The former army lawyer was originally sentenced to a maximum of five years and eight months in May 2024 for his role in the unauthorized dissemination of secret defence documents regarding the Afghanistan conflict.
Having completed his non-parole period of 27 months, McBride was released on the very day he became eligible, marking the end of his incarceration.
He left the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra early on Thursday morning and is expected to spend private time with his family.
McBride had been “brave” in blowing the whistle on war crimes, Whistleblower Justice Fund founder and former senator Rex Patrick said.
“It’s so good to see the end of an awful saga that should never have happened. I salute David, who walks away from prison with his head held high,” he said.
McBride aimed to expose an intense investigation into Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, but it was revealed soon after that soldiers had been involved in illegal killings while on the front lines.
He pleaded guilty to three charges, including theft.
The ACT Supreme Court upheld a Commonwealth intervention to withhold evidence that the government argued had the potential to jeopardise Australia’s security.
McBride will be allowed to serve the last three years of his sentence in the community under supervision and strict conditions.
It is understood he will not front the media on Thursday.