Two Australian journalists face jail over government leaks

[maddezmom]

SYDNEY (AFP) - Two Australian journalists are facing prison for refusing to reveal the source of confidential documents which say the government would not go ahead with recommended payments to war veterans and their spouses to show they are not "above the law," a senior minister says.

Political reporters Gerard McManus and Michael Harvey have refused to say who gave them documents that revealed the government would not go ahead with recommended payments to war veterans and their spouses of 500 million dollars (376 million US dollars).

The two Herald-Sun reporters were warned by a Melbourne court Tuesday they would be charged with contempt for refusing to give evidence at a pre-trial hearing of a senior bureaucrat accused of leaking the documents.

Finance and Administration Minister Nick Minchin said that while journalists were in a difficult position regarding their sources, they were still subject to the law.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050824/wl_asia_afp/australiajusticemedia;_

[wli]

1. reveal government wrongdoing and go to jail... they're turning into the US

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Harvey and McManus got the Veterans 1/2 Trillion dollars - no crime there!

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From the posted article:

Harvey and McManus reported in a story published in February that the government had decided to ignore all but five of 65 recommendations regarding benefits for veterans, a saving of some 500 million dollars.

The ensuing controversy led the government to abandon the decision.
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Way to go guys!

Be proud.

Article goes on to say:

"Rozenes warned the reporters they faced jail terms, although he said this would likely last days or weeks rather than months."
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daresay the outcome would have been worse in the USSA

ah right

Australia don't have a Gitmo

[itchyvet]

3. Harvey and McManus

Australia don't have a Gitmo.

Not Yet we don't. Workin on it though.