Breaking: Jailed whistleblower David McBride to be released after becoming eligible for parole

Jailed whistleblower David McBride has walked free from a Canberra prison after being granted parole by Attorney-General Michelle Rowland.

McBride was released this morning after serving more than two years in jail.

"I'm very happy to be out, it's a beautiful day to be free," McBride told reporters after his release.

"I thank all my supporters, I thank the attorney-general for granting me parole.

"I'm just happy to be here with my wonderful family."

McBride said jail had been a "very positive experience" thanks to the staff at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) and his fellow prisoners, but that it was nonetheless hard and he was happy to be free.

In a separate statement, McBride revealed he was being treated for early stage lung cancer and would need to undergo surgery.

The former military lawyer was convicted in 2024 for stealing top-secret defence material and sharing it with journalists.

His aim was to expose what he believed was the "over-investigation" of soldiers in Afghanistan.

But his decision backfired, with the ABC's The Afghan Files story instead revealing allegations that Australian Army soldiers were involved in illegal killings.

He will serve a further three years of his sentence in the community under supervision and conditions.

A spokesperson for the attorney-general said the government did not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters.

McBride being treated for lung cancer

In a statement sent by The Information Rights Project, McBride thanked his family as well as the attorney-general for his release.

"Firstly, I would like to thank my incredible family: Sarah, James and Georgie McBride who never gave up on me, and whose fighting spirit, love and humour inspired me every day,"

he said.

"Second, I'd like to thank all my amazing supporters from around both Australia and the world who sent me such inspirational messages.

He also thanked the staff at ACT Corrective Services, who "treated me with professionalism, respect and humour for my entire time in custody".

"I'd also like to thank my fellow prisoners at the AMC," he said.

"They too showed me humour, respect and character that I will never forget. 

"Many of them I hope to see again, and help if I can, as they helped me."

He acknowledged and thanked Ms Rowland for "sparing us another long fight over the question of parole". 

"After all we both want the same thing, a better Australia for our children, so it seems a waste to be fighting each other, rather than working together," he said.

He also revealed he was being treated for lung cancer and would need a period of extended recovery.

"While I am fit and well in most respects, I feel I should inform those who may be interested that I have been diagnosed with treatable lung cancer, in its earliest stages, and will presently undergo an operation to remove part of my lung, after which I will require some extended physical recovery," he said.

"In this, I'm very grateful to the relevant medical and corrective staff who discovered the cancer at such an early stage.

"And I'm looking forward to hugging my dog, Jake. Hopefully he will remember me."

'David can now hold his head high'

McBride's lawyer Edwina Lloyd said in a statement that "the attorney-general's decision to grant David McBride parole is the right one".

"David's life has been defined by service to Australia, first as an ADF legal officer and then through 27 months in custody, separated from his family and his freedom, which he endured with dignity and at immense personal cost," Ms Lloyd said.

"Whatever conclusions the courts reached about the role of the public interest in his case, the hundreds of letters and postcards David received in jail, together with the sustained media attention, leave no doubt that his case matters deeply to the Australian public.

"David can now hold his head high as he is reunited with his family, friends and beloved dog, Jake, knowing that his stand for accountability has strengthened our democracy."

Whistleblower Justice Fund founder Rex Patrick said that in blowing the whistle, McBride had served Australians.

"David served Australians, both in the army and in his brave act of blowing the whistle on war crimes that took place in Afghanistan," Mr 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."

McBride decided 'he knew best': judge

During sentencing in 2024, Justice David Mossop rejected McBride's case that he did not believe he was breaking the law, and found the offences were aggravated by his high security rating, which gave him access to the material.

"I do not accept that he held a belief that what he was doing was not a criminal offence," Justice Mossop told the court.

"The offender has shown no contrition for his offending,"

he said.

He said McBride chose to serve in the army but was not prepared to operate within the constraints of that organisation.

Justice Mossop said in sentencing that McBride believed "he knew best" and that it was important to deter others from similar conduct.

He added that this was especially critical when it had the potential to harm Australia's national security.