Freedom of information, truth and the media

Authors

David Blackall, University of WollongongFollow
Seth Tenkate, Australian Lawyers Alliance

RIS ID

24887

Publication Details

Blackall, D. R. & Tenkate, S., Freedom of information, truth and the media, Precedent, 2008, 89, 31-34.

Additional Publication Information

Reproduced with permission of the Australian Lawyers Alliance

Abstract

Much of the evidence from the 2002 Senate Select Committee inquiry into a 'Certain Maritime Incident' must be viewed as inconclusive, as most of the critical information was kept secret. A number of federal government departments and agencies refused to reveal to committee hearings most of their critical information on intelligence relating to border protection, asylumseekers, people-smugglers, double agents and a tragic boat sinking. The final Senate report stated that much of the intelligence material has been heavily censored and as a consequence, gaps exist in the intelligence picture on the tragic sinking of the boat named SIEV X.