Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.TRANSCRIPTWhistleblower David McBride has been released from a Canberra prison after his bid for parole was successful.His parole was considered and granted this morning.A spokesperson for attorney-general Michelle Rowland says the government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters.The former army lawyer was sentenced to a maximum of five years and eight months in jail in May 2024, after he helped steal secret defense documents about the Afghanistan war which he then leaked to the press.Speaking outside the court today, McBride said he did not regret his actions."I've never been so proud to be an Australian as today I may have broken the law, but I did not break my oath to the people of Australia."---Whistleblower advocates have renewed calls for the creation of an authority to protect those who share information to expose wrongdoing.Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been lobbying to establish a body with the power to oversee and enforce whistleblower protections, facilitate whistleblower disclosures, and safeguard whistleblowers from inside government or business who expose corruption and wrongdoing.Following McBride's release on parole this morning, Mr Wilkie says the former lawyer is a hero and should not have been imprisoned."The government acted that way, not simply to punish David McBride, but also to send a signal to other potential whistleblowers that hey , don't cause trouble, don't speak out