“All that is needed for evil to prosper is for people of good will to do nothing”—Edmund Burke The

Whistle NO. 40, DECEMBER 2004 Newsletter of Australia PO Box U129, Wollongong NSW 2500

Bill Toomer, WBA founder member (see back page) Media watch

Secret award for other RAAF bases, without being injury … I would like to take this given personal protection or specific opportunity to formally express my duties. appreciation of you.” Cameron Stewart He was eventually forced to hide Moore declined to discuss his case Weekend Australian, in safe houses up and down Australia’s with The Weekend Australian, citing a 20-21 November 2004, pp. 1-2 east coast. confidentiality agreement with the Astonishingly, the RAAF then RAAF, but defence sources say he was For Australia’s newest and most demoted him, citing that his previous visibly moved when the citation was unlikely military hero, it was an promotion was an “administrative read out by acting air force chief Air extraordinary ceremony that unfolded error.” It then tried unsuccessfully to Commodore Ken Birrer at the airport in the Qantas club lounge of Brisbane discharge him. ceremony. airport on Monday. Eventually, in January this year, As part of the deal with the RAAF, Nathan Moore, an airfield defence Moore had a nervous breakdown and Moore was discharged from the force guard with the RAAF, was to be given tried to take his own life. on Monday and will be given medical a citation for his courage in blowing For the past two years, the federal compensation. His demotion was also the whistle on drug use in the defence Government has denied it mistreated reversed. force two years ago. Moore, with former veterans affairs After two years of living a night- Moore’s actions — which led to minister Danna Vale concluding that mare for doing something he believed him being bashed and his life threat- the RAAF had “acted appropriately was right, Moore now leaves the ened — had exposed the dark under- under the circumstances.” military as a hero. belly of drug use in the military, In July this year The Weekend But his story is not one the top sparking raids at defence bases across Australian revealed Moore’s full story brass will be re-telling in the history the nation and leading to tough new and the fact that the nation’s military books or on the evening news. drug laws. watchdog, ADF Inspector-General In the pantheon of the Anzacs, it But when the 24-year-old from Geoff Earley, had launched an investi- seems not all of our military heroes are Queensland’s Sunshine Coast turned gation into whether the RAAF gravely equal. up to receive his citation, there was not mistreated Moore. a television camera or journalist in Mr Earley said yesterday that he sight. had not yet completed his report into The Australian Defence Force, Moore’s case because it had proved to Shameful assault on which loves nothing better than to be “more complicated” than expected. freedom of speech parade its heroes in front of the nation, However the RAAF last month Des Houghton did not want any publicity for this came to its own conclusion, accepting Courier-Mail, 28 August 2004 ceremony. What’s more, it had it had mishandled aspects of his case. instructed Moore not to talk about it. Moore had been treated as a The Beattie Government has come up Moore was the military hero the headache rather than a hero by the with a successful way to silence its defence force did not want Australia to RAAF. For taking the high moral critics — it simply bans them from know about. ground on drug abuse, he had been talking to reporters. In a cynical move, And why? Because defence vilified by colleagues who saw the charities and social welfare groups wanted to avoid any damaging pub- drug issue as less important than have been threatened with funding cuts licity about the explosive case and breaking the bond that says you don’t if they dare to speak out on problems about its treatment of the young squeal on your mates. in health, education, housing and freckle-faced soldier who first exposed So, two weeks ago, on November family services. drug use at Queensland’s Amberley 6, Air Force Chief Angus Houston This is repression, of course, and RAAF base in 2002. decided to deliver some belated justice another example of the erosion of free Moore’s decision to tell his to Moore by penning a letter of speech in Queensland. superior officers about drug-taking on appreciation. It came to my notice just a week the base — including using ecstasy and “I wish to acknowledge that you after Premier Peter Beattie patted marijuana during live-fire exercises — took a courageous step in reporting … himself on the back in Parliament, and very nearly destroyed his life. the abuse of illicit drugs during your said his Government was open and Instead of being praised by the service,” Houston wrote. accountable. RAAF for reporting drug use, Moore “In taking this step you exhibited The full extent of the censorship was sent back to his unit — where he the values I expect from all members was exposed last week at a Brisbane was bashed and threatened by his of the air force … you clearly set an conference hosted by the Queensland colleagues for breaking the military’s example for all to follow. Council of Social Services. code of silence. “I regret that your actions resulted I gate-crashed the gathering at Recovering from a broken jaw and in considerable stress and personal North Quay, and heard a number of trauma, he was then transferred to

PAGE 2 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 speakers complain the Government He said the Beattie bans silenced Departments, issued a call to current was attempting to stifle debate on those with the most expertise on the government officials to disclose classi- issues as widespread as juvenile crime, problems. fied information that is being wrongly homelessness and drug abuse. “While the bans remain there are withheld, about plans for and estimated Not long after the conference few to speak on behalf of the mentally costs of the war in , and other began, Shirley Watters, executive ill, the intellectually disabled, prison- documents that contradict government director of QCOSS, politely warned ers, children at risk, the homeless and lies. speakers that I was in the room taking those with drug and alcohol problems.” The “call,” in the form of an open notes. She specifically urged her Another social worker said memo to current government employ- colleagues to be wary of criticising the Housing Minister Rob Schwarten had ees, says “It is time for unauthorized Government while The Courier-Mail quite openly stated at a conference truth-telling.” Drawing the clear was listening. recently that he would not tolerate parallel to Vietnam, the group urges How shameful was that? I have no criticism of the Government. that ongoing silence about government criticism of Watters here. She was Schwarten had been “explicit and deceptions and cover-ups and reluc- trying to shield her colleagues. What muscling,” she said. tance to publicize information about was disturbing was the broad accept- Education Minister Anna Bligh’s the war’s costs and projected casualties ance that anyone who spoke their mind office also had warned community carries with it a significant price in risked government censure. groups not to highlight school drug human life and national security. What has Queensland come to abuse problems, they said. The group released a list of existing when a group of professionals cannot When quizzed from the floor of the documents wrongly withheld within meet to discuss their problems openly conference, visiting speaker Linda the government as examples of the without the fear of government perse- Hancock, associate professor at Deakin kind that the public has a right to see cution? University, said it was “appalling” that (see below). These include background Later, Watters admitted that state agreements were “trying to stifle on Army Staff estimates before the war community groups were experiencing advocacy.” that the Iraq effort would require heavy censorship in the form of She said the Howard Government several hundred thousand troops. “service agreements” which they must and the Victorian State Government Similarly, current estimates of poten- sign before they could get funding. had similar bans in place. tial casualty rates as the insurgency in She said the agreements specifi- “There is a real silencing by the Iraq continues to grow as well as the cally prohibited groups from speaking Government; a flight from controversy likely cost of waging war over the next to the media. to make it all look good.” few years almost surely exist, and She spoke cautiously, saying: “We A leading Brisbane social worker should be disclosed now. have to walk a fine line.” said: “Fragile organisations reliant on To current government officials, She declined to elaborate. government funding are frightened to Ellsberg says: “If you have documen- One delegate said groups had been criticise.” tary evidence that our country has been punished already for speaking out. Queensland Alcohol and Drug lied into an unnecessary, wrongful, Funds had dried up and three-year Foundation CEO Bob Aldred told the endless war — as I had during contracts had been slashed. conference he was concerned that the Vietnam — I urge you to consider “Community agencies need to be service agreements were prohibiting doing right now what I wish I had able to speak out and point out defi- vital public discussions. done years earlier than I did: give the ciencies, because many of the people “Can we really be partners (with truth to Congress and the press, with they care for cannot,” he said. the State Government) when we can’t copies of those documents. The “From the Government’s point of exercise our democratic rights?” he personal costs you risk are great, but view it is not only about stopping asked. you may save many Americans from discussion, it’s about media censor- being lied to death.” ship.” Ray McGovern adds: “Truth. Beattie’s carpet must be getting Never in the past 50 years has it been lumpy with all the bad news swept Whistleblowers call in such short supply in the U.S. under it lately. for disclosure of defense/intelligence community. Yet it Said another delegate: “What they government’s Iraq deceit is the truth — once known — that will don’t want you to hear about is the keep us free. Truth-tellers, arise!” and former CIA and severe shortage of housing, the hospi- Ellsberg, best known for releasing FBI officials say Americans need full tals that are closing wards, or that there the to Congress and disclosure of lies, cover-ups, and is a four-year wait for public dentistry the press in 1971, was joined at a war’s projected costs in lives and or that 14 kids a day are being sus- Washington press conference by Ray dollars pended from school for drugs.” McGovern, formerly an analyst for 27 http://www.rense.com, There also was a severe shortage of years at the CIA, who provided several 20 September 2004 beds for psychiatric patients who were presidential staffs with their daily simply turned out on the streets. morning security briefings; Sibel Washington, DC — Daniel Ellsberg, Edmonds, former FBI translator who joined today by ten former employees was fired for revealing security lapses of the FBI, CIA, State and Defense

THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 PAGE 3 at the FBI; and , one of cover-up on these vital matters has so War. Some of us live with profound Time magazine’s Persons of the Year far been all too successful in mislead- regret that we did not at that point as a Whistleblower, currently a Special ing the public. Many Americans are expose the administration’s dishonesty Agent in the FBI’s Minneapolis field too young to remember Vietnam. and perhaps prevent the needless office. Then, as now, senior government slaughter of 50,000 more American The Call and press conference are officials did not tell the American troops and some 2 to 3 million part of Ellsberg’s ongoing work with people the truth. Now, as then, insiders Vietnamese over the next ten years. the Truth Telling Project: who know better have kept their We know how misplaced loyalty to http://www.truthtellingproject.org/ silence, as the country was misled into bosses, agencies, and careers can The conference is also sponsored the most serious foreign policy disaster obscure the higher allegiance all by the Sam Adams Associates for since Vietnam. government officials owe the Consti- Integrity in Intelligence, which has Some of you have documentation tution, the sovereign public, and the given its annual Award to Colleen of wrongly concealed facts and analy- young men and women put in harm’s Rowley and (who will ses that — if brought to light — would way. We urge you to act on those also be present at the conference) and, impact heavily on public debate higher loyalties. last night at American University, to regarding crucial matters of national A hundred forty thousand young . security, both foreign and domestic. Americans are risking their lives every Gun, a former translator with the We urge you to provide that informa- day in Iraq for dubious purpose. Our British equivalent of the NSA, was tion now, both to Congress and, country has urgent need of comparable fired after leaking sensitive informa- through the media, to the public. moral courage from its public officials. tion to the British press about efforts to Thanks to our First Amendment, Truth-telling is a patriotic and effective “surge” intercept capability against there is in America no broad Officials way to serve the nation. The time for members of the UN Security Council. Secrets Act, nor even a statutory basis speaking out is now. Gun was acquitted of charges of for the classification system. Only very violating England’s Official Secrets rarely would it be appropriate to reveal Signatories Act. Another participant is Major information of the three types whose • Edward Costello, Former Special , of the Danish Intelli- disclosure has been expressly crimi- Agent (Counterintelligence), Federal gence Service, who faces trial for nalized by Congress: communications Bureau of Investigation releasing his estimates that revealed intelligence, nuclear data, and the • Sibel Edmonds, Former Language lack of evidence of WMDs in Iraq, identity of U.S. intelligence operatives. Specialist, Federal Bureau of Investi- contradicting his country’s involve- However, this administration has gation ment in efforts to distort intelligence in stretched existing criminal laws to • Daniel Ellsberg, Former official, order to support the war. cover other disclosures in ways never U.S. Departments of Defense and State Other signers of the Call — contemplated by Congress. • John D. Heinberg, Former including Mary Ann Wright, who There is a growing network of Economist, Employment and Training resigned as Deputy Chief of Mission in support for whistleblowers. In Administration, U.S. Department of Mongolia over the war — will also be particular, for anyone who wishes to Labor present, along with Ann Beeson of the know the legal implications of disclo- • Larry C. Johnson, Former Deputy ACLU and Beth Daly of the Project on sures they may be contemplating, the Director for Anti-Terrorism Assis- Government Oversight (POGO). ACLU stands ready to provide pro tance, Transportation Security, and For more information contact: bono legal counsel, with lawyer-client Special Operations, Department of Kawana Lloyd, Jessica Smith, or Steve privilege. The Project on Government State, Office of the Coordinator for Smith Fenton Communications (202) Oversight (POGO) will offer advice on Counter Terrorism 822-5200; http://www.fenton.com/ whistleblowing, dissemination and • John Brady Kiesling, Former relations with the media. Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy, Call to patriotic whistleblowing of Needless to say, any unauthorized Athens, Department of State Bush Administration’s disclosure that exposes your superiors • David MacMichael, Former widespread corruption to embarrassment entails personal risk. Senior Estimates Officer, National The Truth-Telling Project, Should you be identified as the source, Intelligence Council, Central Intelli- Washington, DC the price could be considerable, gence Agency 20 September 2004 including loss of career and possibly • Ray McGovern, Former Analyst, It is time for unauthorized truth- even prosecution. Some of us know Central Intelligence Agency telling. Citizens cannot make informed from experience how difficult it is to • Philip G. Vargas, Ph.D., J.D., Dir. choices if they do not have the facts — countenance such costs. But continued Privacy & Confidentiality Study, for example, the facts that have been silence brings an even more terrible Commission on Federal Paperwork wrongly concealed about the ongoing cost, as our leaders persist in a disas- (Author/Director: “The Vargas Report war in Iraq: the real reasons behind it, trous course and young Americans on Government Secrecy”—censored) the prospective costs in blood and come home in coffins or with missing • Ann Wright, Retired U.S. Army treasure, and the setback it has dealt to limbs. Reserve Colonel and U.S. Foreign efforts to stem terrorism. This is precisely what happened at Service Officer Administration deception and this comparable stage in the Vietnam • Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatowski,

PAGE 4 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 recently retired from service in the Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Related links Pentagon’s Office of Near East plan- on Guantanamo, Abu Ghrab and other Project on Government Oversight, ning prisons (ships, prisons in other http://www.pogo.org countries) that hold prisoners from the Government Accountability Project, Selected signatory biographies “war on terrorism.” (These reports http://www.whistleblower.org/ • Daniel Ellsberg is a lecturer, have been provided to the US govern- National Whistleblower Center, writer and activist on the dangers of ment but have not been made public.) http://www.whistleblowers.org/ the nuclear era and unlawful interven- 2. 28 pages redacted from the OpenTheGovernment.org, tions. He is best known for releasing report of the Joint House-Senate http://www.openthegovernment.org/ publicly the Pentagon Papers, the Inquiry on Intelligence Activities National Security Archive, 7,000-page Top Secret McNamara before and after 9/11, concerning the http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/index.h study of U.S. decision-making in ties between the 9/11 terrorists and the tml Vietnam, to the Senate Foreign government of Saudi Arabia. Daniel Ellsberg’s Website, Relations Committee in 1969 and to 3. 800 pages of the http://www.ellsberg.net the New York Times, Washington Post Report on Weapons of Mass Destruc- Project on Government Secrecy, and 17 other newspapers in 1971. tion that were taken by the United http://www.fas.org/sgp/index.html • Ray McGovern worked for 27 States during unauthorized Xeroxing years as a career analyst in the CIA and never given to the Security spanning administrations from John F. Council members. (The original report Kennedy to George H. W. Bush. Ray was 1200 pages in length but has never The betrayal of the is now co-director of the Servant been published in its entirety) whistle-blowers Leadership School, which provides 4. Membership, advisors, consult- Thanks to a glaring legal loophole and training and other support for those ants to Vice President Cheney’s a hostile Justice Department, a federal seeking ways to be in relationship with Energy Task Force, and any minutes employee who revealed that U.S. the marginalized poor. from meetings (January-December, nuclear facilities were unsafe found his In January 2003, Ray, along with 2001). career and life ruined. And many other other intelligence community 5. Documents and photographs whistle-blowers share his fate. alumni/ae, created Veteran Intelligence concerning/produced by military Professionals for Sanity. Through doctors or medical personnel that Eric Boehlert VIPS, Ray has written and spoken document abuses toward prisoners http://www.salon.com/news/feature/ extensively about intelligence-related condoned by medical personnel. 2003/10/21/whistleblower/ issues and appeared in several 6. Documents produced by military documentaries, notably, Uncovered: lawyers and legal staff that challenge Oct. 21, 2003 Time magazine dubbed the Whole Truth About the Iraq War the political policy makers’ decision to 2002 “The Year of the Whistle- (Robert Greenwald) and Break the undercut the Geneva Conventions and blower,” honoring inside do-gooders Silence: Truth and Lies in the War on any other extra-legal procedures. who risked their careers by exposing, Terror (John Pilger). 7. The missing sections of the U.S. among other things, how the FBI let a * Sibel Edmonds worked as a Army General Taguba report on key terrorism suspect slip through its language specialist for the FBI’s prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan. fingers before the 9/11 attacks and by Washington Field Office. During her 8. Department of Justice-Inspector blowing the lid off Enron’s outrageous work with the bureau, she discovered General (DOJ-IG) Report: RE: Sibel financial crimes. Since the terror and reported serious acts of security Edmonds vs. FBI, completed, classi- attacks, the critical importance of breaches, cover-ups, and intentional fied. revealing governmental failures has blocking of intelligence that had 9. DOJ-IG Report: RE: FBI Trans- become obvious: a breakdown in national security implications. After lation Department (security breaches, homeland security could mean catas- she reported these acts to FBI intentional mistranslations, espionage trophe. Indeed, precisely that scenario management, she was fired in March charges), completed, classified. is laid out in the current issue of Vanity 2002. 10. DOJ-IG Report: RE: FBI & Fair [October 2003] which features an Foreknowledge of 9/11, completed, exposé about federal whistle-blowers Twelve examples of existing classified. who lay bare the shocking vulnera- documents that deserve 11. Full staff backup to General bility of America’s nuclear weapons unauthorized disclosure Shinseki’s 2002 estimate that “several laboratories at Los Alamos to terrorist Each of these — wrongly withheld up hundred thousand troops” would be attack, as well as the ongoing failures till now — could and should be required for effective occupation of of airline and airport security. Several released almost in their entirety, Iraq. of those same whistle-blowers will perhaps with minor deletions for 12. The full 2002 State Department soon tell their tale on 60 Minutes. genuine security reasons. (In many studies on requirements for the In recent years, aided in part by cases, official promises to release postwar occupation and restoration of movies like The Insider, whistle- declassified versions have not been civil government in Iraq. blowers have attained the status of folk honored.) heroes. “It’s become popular to protect 1. Reports by International whistle-blowers — that’s never

THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 PAGE 5 happened before,” says Danielle Brian, introduced the new bill in the House of them that if they were deciding executive director of the Project on Representatives. “But the court has whether to do it again, they wouldn’t. Government Oversight, a nonprofit changed the intent of Congress in such “What I have learned is, don’t do public interest group dedicated to dramatic fashion, to the point where the right thing — don’t try to protect exposing governmental corruption and there is significant disincentive for the American people when you see that mismanagement that works closely coming forward with information.” they are in danger, because the law with whistle-blowers and that advo- The Department of Justice opposes won’t protect you,” says Bogdan cates for them. the bill, calling it unconstitutional. Dzakovic, a whistle-blower within the As a result, most people probably Defending the right of various federal FAA who tried to air warnings about assume that federal whistle-blowers agencies to decide who does and does lax airline security years before the now enjoy strong legal protection not get security clearance, the DOJ 9/11 attacks. He considers himself against retaliation. frames the issue as one of executive- lucky: He’s still got a job with the They’re wrong. Many federal branch power — the president, as head FAA and collects a government whistle-blowers — including the one of the government, trumps a personnel paycheck. But he spends his time who exposed the security flaws at U.S. arbitration court like the OSC. In the doing menial tasks. “My career is nuclear plants — have had their DOJ’s view, security clearance is a over,” he says. careers destroyed because of a glaring privilege, not a right that can be won Not every case has ended badly for loophole in the law designed to protect back in court the whistle-blower. Last year James them: If their security clearances are The DOJ and other critics of the Hopkins, an international aviation revoked, as frequently happens to pending legislation also argue that operations specialist with the FAA in whistle-blowers, the special federal many federal employees facing legiti- Washington, filed for whistle-blower agency that investigates their cases has mate sanctions would claim they were protection after he was fired when he no power to restore it — and the being punished for whistle-blowing, alerted his supervisors to what he federal appeals court that is their last causing turmoil in the workplace. believed was a link between one of the recourse is a kangaroo court that “The ease with which Federal hijackers involved in the 9/11 terrorist almost never rules in their favor. Even employees would be able to establish a attacks and someone who had received if a whistle-blower is vindicated, the prima facie case of whistle-blower aviation training at the FAA Academy. crucial security status is often not reprisal, no matter how frivolous, Hopkins wanted to take the informa- restored — in effect ending a career. would seriously impair the ability of tion to FAA Security and the FBI, but Since the Whistleblower Protection Federal managers to effectively and his supervisors told him that “thou- Act, or WPA, was unanimously passed efficiently manage the workforce,” sands of people were investigating” the in 1989 (and then strengthened in wrote William Moschella, an assistant attack and he needed to focus on his 1994) to protect whistle-blowers attorney general, outlining the depart- FAA duties. Hopkins pressed ahead against on-the-job retaliation, the U.S. ment’s opposition. and was fired by his supervisor for his Court of Appeals for the Federal Advocates deride these arguments. failure to maintain a “calm and profes- Circuit, the unique court that handles They insist that independent review of sional approach in the completion of government-contract disputes, has security clearance rulings is essential duties, as well as evidence of sound continuously narrowed the rights of because bureaucracies, by their nature, judgment.” whistle-blowers and ruled against them almost always retaliate against whistle- Hopkins’ hunch about a 9/11 in nearly every case, according to the blowers. And they say the DOJ claim connection did not turn out to be Government Accountability Project, a that employees would frivolously useful, but the OSC investigated his public advocacy group. invoke the law is grossly overstated. case, found in his favor, and ordered Experts variously describe what “Historically, the Department of the FAA to rehire Hopkins. The happens to whistle-blowers when they Justice has been hostile to whistle- agency eventually agreed, awarding enter the bureaucratic and judicial blowers,” says Brian. “On a simple him full back pay, benefits and attor- process as “a Twilight Zone,” “Kafka- level, they’re seen as an annoyance, ney’s fees. esque,” and “Chinese water torture.” because Justice represents government Fortunately for Hopkins, his case “It’s a big loophole in the law,” agencies embarrassed by whistle- did not revolve around security says Elaine Kaplan, the former head of blowers. As for frivolous cases clearance. “The Whistleblower Protec- the Office of Special Counsel, or OSC, clogging the workplace, I’ve been tion Act doesn’t protect people who the independent federal agency that doing this for a long time, and yes, blow the whistle and then have their investigates whistle-blower cases. “It’s there’s an element of people who call security clearance yanked,” Kaplan not the most satisfying system.” themselves whistle-blowers who have explains. Without access to classified New legislation, with bipartisan sour grapes. But to suggest that’s a big documents, a whistle-blower’s career, support in the House and Senate, will enough percentage so as to not have both inside and outside the gov- attempt to close the loopholes. actual protection is ridiculous. It’s a ernment, is effectively destroyed. Yet “The Whistleblower Protection Act red herring.” even if a whistle-blower’s actions are was passed to ensure employees who Many former and current federal vindicated by the OSC or another come forward will be free from employees who have spoken out say arbitration body, a federal employer is harassment for doing the right thing,” that the system is so rigged against under no obligation to reinstate a says Rep. Todd Platts, R-Pa., who security clearance.

PAGE 6 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 “It’s vicarious victimization of the assisted Levernier, says the whistle- ruling against whistle-blowers 83 out whistle-blower,” adds Terance Miethe, blower is satisfied with the terms. of 84 times. author of Whistleblowing at Work: Still, Levernier remains without his “You can’t possibly believe none Tough Choices in Exposing Fraud, security clearance. “If you lose your of those [83] cases had merit,” says Waste and Abuse on the Job. “They get security clearance you’re screwed,” Soeken. “But they didn’t have a exonerated and yet nothing happens says Brian at the Project on Gov- chance in hell because the judges with security clearance.” ernment Oversight. The law being won’t apply the law fairly. Whistle- “It’s a Kafka-esque procedure,” proposed, known as the Whistleblower blowers spend all this time thinking adds Doug Hartnett, a staff attorney for Protection Enhancement Act, stipulates there’s justice down the road, but there the Government Accountability that if the OSC finds in favor of a is none.” Project. “You’re asking the people federal whistle-blower who had a “The law has become useless,” who took clearance away to give it security clearance taken away, the says Brian at the Project on Gov- back to you. There’s a visceral reaction employer’s agency must publicly ernment Oversight. “Nobody can meet to whistle-blowers by these agencies, explain why it’s not reinstating that the standard [created by the court] for so they rarely give it back.” crucial status. federal employee whistle-blowers — According to Kaplan, the legisla- Looking back on his decision to that they have to be the first person to tive solution is simple: Simply give the blow the whistle, Levernier has talk about [the fraud], and find out OSC, or the Merit System Protection nothing but regrets: “Given my experi- about it not within the function of their Board (the higher body to which OSC ence, I would not do it again, even job. It’s Chinese water torture.” rulings can be appealed) the power to though I truly believe it was the right For instance, the court has found rule on security clearances. But, thing to do. DOE’s inappropriate the WPA does not protect whistle- Kaplan says, “there is a lot of political removal of my security clearance has blowers who directly confront their opposition.” During the ’90s there was ruined my career and life.” supervisor about the supervisor’s an attempt in Congress to close the Unfortunately, that’s often the wrongdoing. Instead, the insiders need loophole, but the measure failed after norm for the whistle-blower. “It ruins to notify more senior officials within the Department of Justice strenuously their career, whether they’re right or the organization in order to qualify for objected. wrong,” says Fred Alford, author of protected status. Richard Levernier, a DOE whistle- Whistleblowers: Broken Lives and Alford recalls one federal whistle- blower featured in Mark Hertsgaard’s Organizational Power. “The law and blower he interviewed for his book, Vanity Fair article, is himself caught in the process take so long, and in the “She spent five years and $50,000 to the judicial Twilight Zone, battling to end, cases hinge on issues that have get two minutes in court and be told get back his security clearance. A very little to do with the justice of the she didn’t have standing.” federal employee for 33 years, case, such as how your boss fired you, Perhaps most upsetting is the new Levernier spent the late ’90s testing the or who talked to who. It ends up in a “irrefragable” standard the appeals preparedness of America’s nuclear strange Twilight Zone. Most whistle- court has imposed on whistle-blowers. weapons facilities against terrorist blowers aren’t prepared for it — According to the judges, when attacks. He told the magazine, “Some they’re not cynics. Cynics don’t blow reviewing any federal whistle-blowing of the facilities would fail year after the whistle; idealists do. But you need case, the court must begin with the year. In more than 50 percent of our cynicism to survive it.” “presumption that public officers tests at the Los Alamos facility, [mock What often happens to whistle- perform their duties correctly, fairly, in terrorists] got in, captured the blowers as their cases slowly wind good faith and in accordance with the plutonium, got out again, and in some their way through arbitration and the law. This presumption stands unless cases didn’t fire a shot, because we courts, is that the original charge of there is ‘irrefragable’ proof to the didn’t encounter any guards.” fraud, waste or abuse recedes into the contrary.” Levernier tried in vain to get the background, and what’s left is a mere “Irrefragable” sets an extraordi- DOE to address the problems. When personnel matter. Because personnel narily high threshold that means he refused to drop his crusade, his law is weak, the whistle-blower loses. “incontestable, undeniable, incontro- security clearance was revoked over a “The original charges become irrel- vertible.” The pending legislation relatively minor infraction, effectively evant,” says Donald Soeken, a would require a whistle-blower to ending his career. Levernier filed for psychotherapist and a frequent expert simply have “reasonable belief” of whistle-blower protection in Septem- witness in whistle-blower cases. wrongdoing and be supported by ber 2001, claiming the DOE retaliated He calls the bureaucratic remedies “credible evidence.” against him and gagged his free for whistle-blowers a “cruel hoax.” The legislation would also break speech. He took his case to the OSC, Perhaps the cruelest part is that Federal Circuit court’s monopoly on which found “a substantial likelihood” whistle-blower appeals are heard federal whistle-blower cases and give that Levernier’s charges were accurate. exclusively by the U.S. Court of plaintiffs the ability to file their Recently, after the Vanity Fair article Appeals for the Federal Circuit. appeals in courts throughout the was published, the DOE agreed and According to critics, this court has country, based on where they lived. … settled with Levernier. The details are eviscerated the original WPA law Advocates argue that if the law is confidential, but Hartnett at GAP, who through judicial activism and has made not passed soon (realistically, they’re a mockery out of the appeals process, hoping for legislative action next year

THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 PAGE 7 [in 2004]) whistle-blowers may vanish whistleblowers. “That was the turning said, “the pulling of a security clear- — and with them, society’s best point.” ance effectively fires employees.” chance of uncovering governmental While the legislation has broad Administration officials gave failures. “Ultimately,” says Brian, “no support and a compromise appears to several reasons for opposing the bills. good investigation into government be within reach, it is impossible to Peter D. Keisler, an assistant attorney operations can exist without whistle- know whether the measure will general, said the legislation would blowers.” become law. As evidence of a need for encourage frivolous complaints by legislation, lawmakers cited dozens of disgruntled employees, crippling the cases, including these: ability of senior officials to manage the • Federal investigators found that federal work force. Congress moves to protect two Border Patrol agents, Mark Hall “The bill would convert every federal whistleblowers and Robert Lindemann, were disci- federal employee into a potential Robert Pear plined after they disclosed weaknesses whistleblower and every minor New York Times, 3 October 2004 in security along the Canadian border. workplace dispute with a supervisor • Teresa C. Chambers was dis- into a potential whistleblower case,” Ashington, Oct. 2 — Over strenuous missed from her job as chief of the Mr. Keisler said. objections from the Bush administra- United States Park Police after she said Mr. Akaka said the objections tion, Congress is moving to increase the agency did not have enough money came as no surprise. “The Justice protections for federal employees who or personnel to protect parks and Department has an institutional expose fraud, waste and wrongdoing monuments in the Washington area. conflict of interest” because it is inside the government. • The nation’s top Medicare official responsible for defending agencies Lawmakers of both parties say the threatened to fire Richard S. Foster, the accused of retaliating against whistle- measures are needed to prevent retali- chief Medicare actuary, if he provided blowers, he said. ation against such whistleblowers, who data to Congress showing the cost of Congress has repeatedly tried to reveal threats to public health, safety the new Medicare law, which exceeded protect conscientious civil servants, and security. White House estimates. under laws adopted in 1978, 1989 and But the administration says the bill Airport baggage screeners say they 1994. But lawmakers said these efforts unconstitutionally interferes with the have been penalized for raising had been frustrated by the court that president’s ability to control and concerns about aviation security. But hears appeals from aggrieved federal manage the government. in August, an independent federal employees, the United States Court of On Wednesday, a House commit- agency, the Merit Systems Protection Appeals for the Federal Circuit. tee approved a whistleblower protec- Board, ruled that they had none of the The court often assumes that a tion bill. In July, a Senate committee whistleblower rights available to other federal agency acted properly unless approved a similar measure offering federal employees. The government, it an employee offers “irrefragable proof more extensive protections to whistle- said, can “hire, discipline and termi- to the contrary.” blowers. nate screeners without regard to any The Senate committee cited this as Representative Todd R. Platts, other law.” one of many issues on which the court Republican of Pennsylvania, the The United States Office of Special had misinterpreted the law and the sponsor of the House bill, said: “We Counsel, which investigates com- intent of Congress. “By definition,” it need to protect public servants who plaints of reprisal before they go to the said, “irrefragable means impossible to expose fraud and intentional miscon- board, has a large backlog of whistle- refute. This imposes an impossible duct. Court decisions in the last 10 blower cases, including many pending burden on whistleblowers.” years have eroded whistleblower more than a year. By contrast, the House and Senate protections, so that if you’re a federal The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, bills would protect the disclosure of employee, you’re often risking your 2001, have made the government more any information that a whistleblower job — and the wrath of your superiors secretive, but have also prompted “reasonably believes” to be evidence — if you come forward with evidence whistleblowers to come forward in of government illegality or of wrongdoing.” greater numbers. “They feel they can misconduct. The Senate bill gained momentum no longer stand by knowing that The legislation would also clarify when Senator Susan Collins, Republi- people’s lives are at risk,” said the right of federal employees, like Mr. can of Maine, chairwoman of the Danielle Brian, executive director of Foster, the Medicare actuary, to Committee on Governmental Affairs, the Project on Government Oversight, provide information to Congress, free joined Senator Daniel K. Akaka, another watchdog group. of threats or reprisals. Democrat of Hawaii, in pushing it. Senator Charles E. Grassley, [Editor’s note: Though legislation “The campaign for this legislation Republican of Iowa, said he knew of was approved by US Senate and House went from dormant to active when several instances in which federal committees, it was not put to Congress Senator Collins embraced the bill a agencies had retaliated against for a vote. On 18 November 2004, the few months ago,” said Thomas M. whistleblowers by revoking their Government Accountability Project Devine, legal director of the security clearances. Because they can wrote to the leader of the Senate Government Accountability Project, a no longer do their jobs, Mr. Grassley asking that the legislation be presented watchdog group that works with to Congress.]

PAGE 8 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 Article

Whistleblowers can win the whistleblower is harassed in any for confidentiality had likely been way. breached, together with its implied Peter Bowden Three NSW experiences, originat- requirement to investigate, brought a ing from the Tuesday evening change in attitude. The issues have Whistleblower support groups often meetings, are illustrative. The first now been turned over to the organisa- state that Australian whistleblower involved a NSW public service staff tion’s investigation and audit group, protection legislation is inadequate. In member, a former whistleblower, who the whistleblower has stated his many senses, they are right. We have was transferred to ‘Siberia’ – a work willingness to cooperate, including no federal legislation, although there is location that was an unattractive revealing his sources of information, some very weak protection in the backwater. On the justification that his and his job has been made secure. Pubic Services Act. Generally, skill was needed there, he had no Early days yet, but it is a win for Commonwealth public servants are argument that he was being discrimi- whistleblowing. unable to bring in to the open many of nated against. So he gathered a new One lesson that comes from these the political lies and other abuses in group of wrongdoings by his organisa- stories is that the acts can be used their own ranks without first being tion — simple enough in most public positively even if they are not actually willing to sacrifice their own careers. service organisations — and wrote to invoked. A second lesson is that the Also there is effectively no cover- the head of his organisation with the evidence of acting in the public age for private sector whistleblowers. information, outlining his knowledge interest, although not necessarily There is protection for those who blow of the Act, including the fact that he watertight, still has to be sufficiently the whistle on contraventions of the could go public, and reiterated his strong to convince people that there Corporations Act, and also of the desire to be transferred back to his could be truth behind it. A third and Workplace Relations Act. In addition, original location. He was. He also allied lesson out of the Tuesday the ACCC and ASIC will protect sought redress of the worst of the meetings is that the acts are for turncoat whistleblowers who give wrongdoing. protecting people who are working in evidence against their former The second story is that of Profes- the public interest. Complaining about companions in crime. The best known sor Bruce Hall and the scientific fraud a supervisor’s wrong or illegal actions, example is the former finance director whistleblowing that resulted in the at the same time as complaining about of HIH, Bill Howard, who will end up resignation of the Vice-Chancellor of the supervisor’s personal behaviour putting two of his former accomplices the University of NSW. Both whistle- towards the complainant, gives the in jail. But using these procedures blowers have kept their jobs, a benefit organisation, and the investigative requires knowledge of the acts and that can only be put down to the authorities, an all-too-easy excuse to regulations, knowledge that is not existence of the Act. The issue itself is dismiss the allegations as personal normally available to whistleblowers. still very much alive, with Senate dislike. Unless tangible evidence of The major reason why Whistle- speeches on both sides, and the wrongdoing can be produced, personal blowers Australia argues against the University still taking no action. The accusations are best dropped. A fourth current legislation, however, is that whistleblowers, however, did suffer lesson is the ability to go to the media. there have been virtually no prosecu- discrimination short of dismissal, and Only NSW has this provision, but it is tions for reprisals against whistleblow- in the opinion of many, should sue. It not as useful as one would think. The ers, despite the fact that all states is an option that is under consideration, media would not be interested in most prohibit any victimisation of the but still a big step for the two people whistleblower stories. The threat is whistleblower. In short, the authorities involved. Nevertheless, with the often more effective. have been unwilling to act. support of the Act, that option is a real Using the acts in these ways is Prosecutions, however, do not tell one. perhaps a tall order for most whistle- the full story. Experience in NSW has The third story concerns a security blowers. They have to know the acts in shown that the threat of using the guard who suspected his colleagues of sufficient depth to be able to employ NSW Act is a deterrent in itself. As a number of illegal acts — not turning them. They also have to have the similar legislative acts exist in all up for work, making job interview negotiating skill to use them in states in Australia, it is possible that questions available, and a possible meetings with people many times their examples can also be found in other theft. An initial statement on his part senior. Most whistleblowers take states. brought frosty denials from his superi- action on the expectation that the The clauses that are particularly ors, a broadcasting of the accusations, organisation will correct the problem. powerful are the no–reprisals and the a consequent threat of being trans- As we all know it will not. But confidentiality clauses. All states have ferred from his current job, and isola- learning the acts, and how to use them, these clauses. In addition, most states tion by his fellow workers. His and giving this advice to potential permit injunctions to be taken out presentation of sufficient evidence to whistleblowers, is a task that whistle- against reprisals, as well as the right to at least raise the possibility that his blower support groups could, and institute proceedings for damages if statements might be true, plus a simple should, readily take on. pointing out that the Act’s requirement

THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 PAGE 9 Draft minutes of WBA’s 2004 annual general meeting

WhistleblowersAustralia Inc. month period ending 30 June 2004, Jean Lennane congratulated the provided by F Perera. Briefly, details Annual General Meeting incoming office bearers on behalf of are as follows: the meeting and thanked them for their $5,187.66: income, (subscriptions, Melbourne, Victoria continuing good work and support of donations, book account and bank Whistleblowers. balance) 27 November 2004 $2,302.71: expenses (Whistle produc- National Ordinary Committee tion, insurance, networking 1. Meeting chaired by J Lennane, Members (6). expenses, refunds to branches & President. AGM costs ,etc.) Minutes taken by C Kardell, National The following six nominees were $2,884.95: excess of income over Secretary. elected unopposed: Matilda Bawden expenditure, (SA), Catherine Crout-Habel (SA), $4,871.51: accumulated fund balance 2. Apologies: Catherine Crout-Habel, Geoff Turner (NSW), Information b/f, Vince Neary, Ted Regan, Jeannie Technology, Peter Bowden (NSW), $2,884.95: add income over expendi- Berger, Feliks Perera, Derek Maitland Education Officer, Stan van de Wiel ture, and Greg Locke. (Vic) and Brian Martin (NSW), Inter- $7,756.46: balance at bank, 30 June national Director. 2004. 3. Attendance: [omitted] C Kardell moved a motion to co-opt Jean Lennane called for the report to 4. Previous minutes: J Lennane Derek Maitland, who had been be accepted as a true and accurate referred to the previous minutes nominated for the national committee, statement of accounts. Proposed: Peter published in the January 2004 edition as a casual member, to act as Media Bennett. Seconded: Peter Bowden. of The Whistle, having noted C Liasion Officer. Seconded by G Carried. Kardell’s apology for not being able to McMahon. Carried. provide a copy. She asked if anyone Business arising: present could move that the previous Jean Lennane reminded the meeting minutes as published, be accepted as a that J Pezy, as SA branch president, B Martin, editor of The Whistle, true and accurate record. was automatically part of the National explained how it was produced and Committee. Jean congratulated the published. He asked the members to Proposed: Matilda Bawden. Seconded: incoming members and urged them continue to provide articles and other Lori O’Keeffe. and their colleagues to be actively material. He thanked Feliks Perera for involved at a national level. the efficient manner in which he Business arising: nil. processed the accounts. 6. Position of Public Officer C Kardell advised that membership 5. Election of office bearers was down on last year’s figures, and Jean Lennane advised the meeting that that members were generally tardy J Lennane, nominee for the position of Vince Neary was willing to continue in with their annual renewal of subscrip- National President, stood down for the position of Public Officer if tion. She urged members to recruit Brian Martin to proceed as returning required. Agreed: Vince’s offer to be new members, by trading their help officer. accepted with our thanks. and assistance for others, for member- ship. Position of National President. Jean Business arising: Jean Lennane Lennane, being the only nominee, was advised that Vince Neary had 8. Other business. There being no elected unopposed. Cynthia Kardell forwarded an authority to pay the formal agenda items, the meeting was led the meeting in thanking her for her annual lodgement fee to the Depart- opened for state reports and general continuing goodwill, and leadership. ment of Fair Trading, pursuant to discussion. legislative requirements, and requested Jean acted as returning officer for the that two financial members be author- (i) ACT: Peter Bennett reported that rest of the election process. ised by the meeting to sign the they had about five people actively application form on its behalf. involved in ACT, and was optimistic The following nominees to the Brian martin moved the motion: that once they had a meeting venue Executive were elected unopposed: John Pezy seconded it. Carried: Jean and a little more cohesion they might Vice President: Peter Bennett Lennane and Cynthia Kardell author- be able to form a branch. They are Junior Vice President: Kim Sawyer. ised so to do. involved in about four cases, including Treasurer: Feliks Perera. his own which is progressing nicely. Secretary: Cynthia Kardell 7. Treasurer’s Report: J Lennane National Director: Greg McMahon. tabled a financial statement for the 12

PAGE 10 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 (ii) Queensland: Greg McMahon (v) NSW: Cynthia Kardell reported (ix) President’s Report: Jean Lennane reported that he had been able to that NSW continued to provide said that the last several years have obtain the Executive’s support to telephone, email and direct support, by seen a steady increase in the calibre nominate the case of Queensland its Tuesday night meetings. We had and capacity of long term, committed police whistleblower Col Dillon as a two formal press releases at Parliament members: we have come a long way case of national significance, like that House, with the assistance of Greens since the organisation was founded in of Jim Leggate, who has moved to MP Lee Rhiannon, one calling for a 1991. For example, Brian’s and Tasmania and Kevin Lindeberg, who judicial inquiry into the University of Geoff’s work is enabling the organisa- looks like getting up an inquiry into NSW and the other calling for a tion to reach out to whistleblowers in the Goss government. national strategy for the investigation ways we have not had before. Col Dillon is credited with having of ‘convenient’ police or whistle- The recent FBI sting on pornogra- been the catalyst for the Fitzgerald blower deaths. phy has pushed our police services to Inquiry in Queensland. Greg reported We contributed to the review of the respond in a hitherto unimagined way that Col Dillon had been ostracised, ICAC Act and continue to attend the and many arrests were made. This is and eventually left without a desk or meetings of the Internal Witness progress. office, by those who claimed to be part Advisory Council, which oversees Griffith University has received a of the reformed Queensland police. whistleblower protection and whistle- very large grant to study whistleblow- Whistleblowers Action Group blowing in the NSW Police. ing, and the research team says it will (WAG) continues to make annual welcome input from WBA. This is awards. The 2004 award went to NSW (vi) International Liaison: Brian Martin progress. radio presenter Alan Jones, who spoke reported that international dialogue We will do more media releases. out about the conviction of Pauline continues to be brisk. Australia is one The second one, about Gary Lee Hanson. He was presented with a of only two national whistleblower Rogers, led to WBA being formally certificate and cup. organisations in the world made up joined as a party to the inquest into his WAG was unsuccessful in its bid to primarily of whistleblowers. The other death. The Coroner has foreshadowed retain charitable status: the Australian is Freedom to Care, in the UK. The US that she will deal with the mental Taxation Office decided WAG did not has the Government Accountability health area and the police investigation provide ‘direct immediate relief’ to Project, but that is run by lawyers. in her report. A couple of wins there: whistleblowers. Recently he had contact from the one was that the press has finally got Florida Whistleblowers, a new body, on top of the fact that mentally ill (iii) SA: John Pezy reported that the which hopes to have an organisation people are starving and often being SA branch has been busy at a local like ours. killed. Gary’s case is typical. He was level: it continues to offer support and sick, depressed, convalescent and assistance by telephone, email and in (vii) Communications: Geoff Turner needed daily contact and care. The person. He reported on two long reported that whistleblowers.org.au mental health representative, expected running cases, that of Angela Morgan receives quite a few emails. His load to visit every day, came only once, and Shelley Pezy, which continue to has been recently reduced by the over a week down the track, couldn’t provide a catalyst for their attempts to addition of Peter Bennett’s name as a raise Gary, left a card and went away. reform the judicial system. contact. The website is fairly basic, but Gary might still be alive but for that. is about to undergo an upgrade by So, good and bad: but rather (iv) Victoria: Mervyn Vogt reported Geoff, Cynthia and Peter, which will worryingly, we do seem to have that he did not believe Nathan Moore, not deviate from the original decision slipped into George Orwell’s 1984. RAAF whistleblower, would be alive, to keep it simple, accessible and able But press on! but for his efforts. Nathan had blown to be used by the vision impaired. the whistle on drug trading and use in Other General Business the services. He had been vindicated, (viii) Education: Peter Bowden but had been beaten up, hospitalised reported that Cynthia and Peter did a 1. SA agreed to put on the 2005 AGM and will have poor help and be session on whistleblowing at the on the weekend 9-11 September 2005. disabled for the rest of his life. He has University of Technology Sydney. 2. Motion moved by P Bennett, by been invalided out of the service. Peter has given two courses to Chinese proxy for C Schwerin, and seconded Telstra continues to resist reform: students, through the University of by C Kardell. Agreed: that WBA Mervyn was unsuccessful in his last Sydney, and he has obtained a grant of authorise the 2004 AGM committee to attempt to be appointed to the Board. $10,000 to assess whistleblowing arrange for WBA to thank the Christina Schwerin had got SBS legislation across the nation. The founding members of WBA. coverage for Stan van de Wiel’s story. results of the research are being put up The aged care sector was developing on the university website, on a page Meeting Closed. into the next big story, as elderly developed by Peter for the purpose, people were being pushed out of their which he hopes will become a useful homes, and their assets wrongly resource for whistleblowers and others. appropriated.

THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004 PAGE 11 Whistleblowers Australia contacts WBA AGM and conference

ACT contact: Peter Bennett, phone 02 6254 1850, fax 02 On the weekend of 27-28 November, WBA’s annual 6254 3755, [email protected]; Mary Lander, general meeting and conference were held in Melbourne. phone 0419 658 308; [email protected] The event was highly successful, for which special thanks New South Wales go to the main organisers, Lori O’Keeffe, Kim Sawyer and “Caring & Sharing” meetings We listen to your story, Stan van de Wiel. provide feedback and possibly guidance for your next few The draft minutes of the AGM are found in this issue, on steps. Held every Tuesday night 7:30 p.m., Presbyterian pages 10-11, including information on the election of Church Hall, 7-A Campbell St., Balmain 2041. members of the national committee. General meetings are held in the Church Hall on the first At the dinner on Saturday evening, founding members of Sunday in the month commencing at 1:30 pm. (Please WBA were honoured. Three of the original group of confirm before attending.) The July general meeting is the founding members, of what was then called Whistleblowers AGM. Anonymous, were able to attend: Contact: Cynthia Kardell, phone/fax 02 9484 6895; • Bill Toomer — see photo on page 1 — who suffered messages phone 02 9810 9468; [email protected] reprisals after he ordered fumigation of a ship in the early Website: http://www.whistleblowers.org.au/ 1970s; his case has led to numerous inquiries in the Goulburn region: Rob Cumming, 0428 483 155. decades since; Wollongong: Brian Martin, 02 4221 3763. • Keith Potter, a Victorian member and indefatigable Website: http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/dissent/ advocate for whistleblowers, including immense efforts on behalf of Bill Toomer; Queensland contacts: Feliks Perera, phone/fax 07 5448 • Jean Lennane, national president of WBA, whose 8218; Greg McMahon, 07 3378 7232 (a/h) [also wisdom and calm good sense have been crucial in keeping Whistleblowers Action Group contact] the organisation on a sound footing. South Australian contacts: Matilda Bawden, 08 8258 Bill, Keith and Jean received framed certificates of life 8744 (a/h); John Pezy, 08 8337 8912 membership in WBA plus signed copies of Debbie Locke’s book Watching the Detectives and Jack Ellis’s book Murder Whistle of an Airline. In thanks for her contributions, Jean also Editor: Brian Martin, [email protected], 02 4221 3763, received a silver whistle on a chain. 02 4228 7860 At the conference on Sunday, Stephen Bolsin and Kim Associate editors: Don Eldridge, Isla MacGregor, Kim Sawyer gave talks and many others contributed to panel Sawyer. discussions. Photos from the conference will be featured in Thanks to Cynthia Kardell and Patricia Young for future issues of The Whistle. proofreading. The 2005 AGM and conference will be held in Adelaide on 9-11 September. Stay tuned for details.

Whistleblowers Australia membership Membership of WBA involves an annual fee of $25, payable to Whistleblowers Australia, renewable each June. Membership includes an annual subscription to The Whistle, and members receive discounts to seminars, invitations to briefings/ discussion groups, plus input into policy and submissions. If you want to subscribe to The Whistle but not join WBA, then the annual subscription fee is $25. The activities of Whistleblowers Australia depend entirely on voluntary work by members and supporters. We value your ideas, time, expertise and involvement. Whistleblowers Australia is funded almost entirely from membership fees, donations and bequests.

Send memberships and subscriptions to Feliks Perera, National Treasurer, 1/5 Wayne Ave, Marcoola Qld 4564. Phone/Fax 07 5448 8218.

PAGE 12 THE WHISTLE, #40, DECEMBER 2004