Internal emails released under freedom of information show that Defence Secretary Meghan Quinn and multiple deputy secretaries endorsed a formal statement against reposting hearing footage online. Deputy Secretary Celia Perkins delivered the remarks on 4 September, asserting that witnesses did not consent to clips being shared on social media platforms due to bullying and national security concerns. The parliamentary committee rejected the restriction following guidance from the Senate clerk, while Greens Senator David Shoebridge argued that witnesses cannot censor an open hearing.
Key points
Defence officials attempted to establish a defensible argument against social media clips…: Defence officials attempted to establish a defensible argument against social media clips by citing workplace health and safety obligations.
Department leadership argued that edited hearing videos posted online could trigger staff…: Department leadership argued that edited hearing videos posted online could trigger staff distress, bullying, and foreign intelligence threats.
Senators pushed back against the department by affirming that public servants cannot rest…: Senators pushed back against the department by affirming that public servants cannot restrict public access to open committee proceedings.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The secretary of the defence department approved a senior official’s controversial idea to tell a Senate hearing that footage of public servants giving evidence should not be shared on social media because it could invite online bullying and raise national security concerns.
Emails obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information reveal deputy secretary Celia Perkins’ planned request to the parliamentary inquiry was flagged with the offices of deputy prime minister Richard Marles and assistant minister for defence Peter Khalil, and received the backing of department secretary Meghan Quinn.
Perkins – defence’s deputy secretary of security and estate – drew criticism across the political divide with her 4 September statement to a committee hearing, where she said defence witnesses “do not consent to the reposting of our evidence to social media sites”.
She pointed to a submission from the secretaries board of the Australian Public Service, which had raised similar concerns about evidence being taken out of context, and alleged “edited and embellished” videos from previous hearings had “generated significant highly inappropriate and highly personal commentary that was distressing for…
Media outlets affiliated with Yemen's Houthis announced that multiple aerial bombardments struck the districts of Dhaw Bab and Mocha. The incidents unfolded during the early morning hours, marking a fresh wave of reported operations in the region. Information concerning potential casualties or infrastructural destruction remains unconfirmed at this stage.
During an appearance on the Shubhankar Mishra Podcast, the legendary fast bowler assessed historic cross-border rivalries across several generations of international cricket. His candid selections strongly leaned toward modern and classic Indian match-winners, reflecting how personal track records in high-pressure scenarios influenced his evaluations. The remarks provide notable cross-border commentary ahead of upcoming bilateral commitments between other major cricketing nations.
The opposition party used an intentional social media misspelling to draw wider public focus to its allegations against the central government regarding corporate interference. Congress leaders claimed the move effectively baited political opponents into amplifying their broader critique of how the administration handles premier private conglomerates. The skirmish highlights escalating friction over governance and state influence amid high-profile corporate disputes.