This is the text of a statement by Thomas Blanton, Director, National Security Archive, George Washington University.
Blanton appeared before the House Judiciary Committee’s Hearing on the Espionage Act and the Legal and Constitutional Implications of Wikileaks. [Read more...]
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a Standing Group of Government, Opposition and crossbench members will meet before the end of the year to receive information on the investigations into the wreck of an asylum-seeker boat off Christmas Island yesterday morning.
Gillard said a Western Australian coronial inquiry would take place into the disaster, in addition to a criminal investigation by the Australian Federal Police and investigations by Customs.
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The Age newspaper has just published the US embassy cables released to Fairfax by WikiLeaks.
This is the full text: [Read more...]
By George Friedman
Taking Stock of WikiLeaks is republished with permission of STRATFOR.
Julian Assange has declared that geopolitics will be separated into pre-“Cablegate” and post-“Cablegate” eras. That was a bold claim. However, given the intense interest that the leaks produced, it is a claim that ought to be carefully considered. Several weeks have passed since the first of the diplomatic cables were released, and it is time now to address the following questions: First, how significant were the leaks? Second, how could they have happened? Third, was their release a crime? Fourth, what were their consequences? Finally, and most important, is the WikiLeaks premise that releasing government secrets is a healthy and appropriate act a tenable position? [Read more...]
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, has announced a series of proposals to increase competition in Australian banking.
The Treasurer spoke at a press conference in Canberra today with Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten and Parliamentary Secretary David Bradbury. Click the PLAY button to listen to the complete audio of the press conference:
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