Fed: Toohey continues attack on DIO

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2004
Fed: Toohey continues attack on DIO

CANBERRA, April 29 AAP - Naval lawyer Martin Toohey today continued his criticism of
Australia's spy agency the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), saying it was politicised
and misled the public.

Captain Toohey has attacked the government over its treatment of him and whistleblower
Lieutenant Colonel Lance Collins amid allegations of failures by the DIO.

He said he believed the government was involved in a cover-up over the Collins affair
and said he wanted to appear at a parliamentary inquiry into the military justice system.

Lt Col Collins, chosen by defence chief General Peter Cosgrove to oversee intelligence
in East Timor, was at the centre of allegations he leaked sensitive material.

But a report by Capt Toohey cleared him of the claims and found evidence of a pro-Jakarta
lobby within the DIO.

The government later released another report by Colonel Richard Tracey which discredited
the Toohey report.

Capt Toohey said he disagreed with the government and said the Tracey report was a cover-up.

He said the DIO was "misleading the government and the people of Australia".

Capt Toohey said the politicisation of the DIO was life threatening and the head of
the organisation should be sacked.

"I believe that the head of DIO is politicised, I believe that he really should be
replaced," he told ABC Radio.

"DIO has been politicised and that is a very sad situation and indeed a dangerous situation
if we have another East Timor where the intelligence is of such a poor standard again
lives will be at risk."

Capt Toohey said he wanted to testify before a parliamentary inquiry because the cover-up
was a constant thorn in his side.

He also claimed to be the victim of a witch-hunt for the leaking of the Collins report
to the media.

"I've had two investigators from the defence security interview me," Capt Toohey said.

"I have no idea how it was leaked, I told them so.

"They didn't appear to have any authority to be there.

"It was a witch-hunt and don't shoot the messenger."

AAP sm/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: COLLINS

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