A top-secret spy mission, a decades-old scandal – and the Austin Powers-esque saga to lift the lid
Transparency advocate Rex Patrick is challenging the Australian government to release historical documents regarding a 2004 spy mission involving the bugging of Timor-Leste. The government continues to use a 'Glomar' response, refusing to confirm or deny the existence of the documents.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between national security secrecy and the public's right to know about historical government conduct.
Rex Patrick’s latest push to reveal historical documents related to the Timor-Leste bugging scandal comes after years of attempts. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Rex Patrick’s latest push to reveal historical documents related to the Timor-Leste bugging scandal comes after years of attempts. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Australian politics A top-secret spy mission, a decades-old scandal – and the Austin Powers-esque saga to lift the lid Rex Patrick’s latest transparency fight is over what he calls ‘most open secret in the history of Australian spying’ – maybe even the world
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Prefer the Guardian on Google A campaign to uncover any documents relating to whether Australian spies bugged Timor-Leste to gain the upper hand in sensitive oil and gas negotiations will be a little less secret after a critical win by the former senator Rex Patrick.
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