Reflecting on the controversial secrecy arrangements surrounding the prosecution of Witness J, former NSW Supreme Court justice the Honourable Anthony Whealy QC has told a public hearing and the director-general of ASIO that he would want judges to inquire further into closed court or suppression order requests under the NSI Act.
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‘It is a disgraceful prosecution’: Geoffrey Robertson condemns Australian government for secret trials of Bernard Collaery and Witness K
By Naomi Neilson|05 May 2021
Leading and prominent human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson has criticised the federal government on its “monstrous” decision to prosecute Bernard Collaery and Witness K entirely behind closed doors for doing nothing more than telling the truth while those responsible for the Timor-Leste bugging continue to go free.
The controversial decision by former attorney-general Christian Porter to allow the prosecutions of Bernard Collaery and Witness K to go ahead – and in secrecy – has drawn criticisms from major legal bodies and professionals that have condemned the Morrison government for using the trial to get “payback” for its embarrassment.
NSI Act safeguards could prevent more secret trials, human rights lawyers say
NSI Act safeguards could prevent more secret trials, human rights lawyers say
04 May 2021 • By Naomi Neilson Share
A suite of new recommendations addressing secrecy trials could put an end to cases taking place entirely behind closed doors while ensuring the Commonwealth sticks to its fundamental democratic principle of open justice, a senior lawyer submitted.
In submissions to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM), the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) has called for urgent reform of the
National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004 (
NSI Act) to prevent any future secret trials from taking place behind closed doors in Australia.