In March 2003, Andrew Wilkie resigned from Australia's senior intelligence agency, ONA, in protest over the looming Iraq war. The former Australian Office of National Assessments (ONA) operative, Andrew Wilkie, knows what such intense pressure feels like. In your opinion, did the Office of National Assessments judge that to be the case and, again, what was your reaction when you heard these statements being made? In a demented rant this week he said that John Howard was, “… lucky that he hasn’t been charged with conspiracy to commit mass murder.” On June 19, the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) took oral evidence from Andrew Wilkie a former Australian senior intelligence analyst. ANDREW Wilkie is the odd man out among the House of Representative independents making their mark on this parliament. The former Australian Office of National Assessments (ONA) operative, Andrew Wilkie, knows what such intense pressure feels like. They were using WMD shamelessly to mask their real reasons for the war and my concern is that in Australia, our government was using the weapons of mass destruction story to mask its real reasons for going to war, which was a preparedness to support the US at any cost. The report was from the Office of National Assessments (ONA) and co-authored by Andrew Wilkie, who quit his role in March 2003 in protest at the Howard government's support for the US-led Iraq War. Wilkie, 41, a former army lieutenant colonel, worked for the Office of National Assessments (ONA), which provides assessments directly to … Mr. Wilkie's responsibilities in ONA included analysis of weapons of mass destruction and global terrorism. On June 19, the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC) took oral evidence from Andrew Wilkie a former Australian senior intelligence analyst. Andrew Wilkie. MARK DAVIS: Well, you've referred to the US reports, US intelligence reports that your section was receiving as "garbage grade intelligence" concocted by Iraqis desperate for US intervention in Iraq. Of that, ONA had no doubt at the time and as far as I'm aware, has no doubt now and in fact, I also believed and still do believe that they had some sort of WMD program. Ask Amazon Alexa for the latest SBS News or listen to SBS Radio. Mark Davis spoke to Andrew Wilkie, former ONA officer, in Canberra earlier. WILKIE, Andrew. He was referring to a pre-1991 Gulf War Iraq that hadn't existed for 12 years. Colonel. AM 40th Anniversary - a look back at the history of the ABC's agenda-setting morning radio program. I don't think - there was no doubt in our Government's mind - and this is something that was communicated to the Government clearly - there was no doubt in our Government's mind that the US's main interest in 'doing' Iraq was a vast range of US strategic and US domestic interests and had very little to do with WMD. What I have serious concerns with is how the Government was taking a reasonably measured assessment and exaggerating it out of proportion to justify the war. The report was from the Office of National Assessments (ONA) and co-authored by Andrew Wilkie, who quit his role in March 2003 in protest at the Howard government's support for the US-led Iraq War. Andrew Wilkie: The former intelligence analyst at the Office of National Assessments resigned before going public with his concerns over the Iraq War, including a lack of evidence that Iraq had developed a substantial nuclear weapons program. Please select the editions you would like to sign up to. Andrew Wilkie was a lieutenant colonel in the Australia Defence Force before he joined ONA (Office of National Assessments ) as a Senior Strategic Analyst. ANDREW WILKIE: The Office of National Assessments has made it clear to the Government for years that some of the material coming out of the US needed to be regarded with great scepticism. In 2003, in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, an ONA intelligence officer named Andrew Wilkie resigned from the agency, citing ethical concerns in relation to selective and exaggerated use of intelligence by the Australian Government on the matter of … We now have investigations under way in the British Parliament and in the American Congress about intelligence failings in Iraq and whether that intelligence was misused for political purposes. This is a transcript from AM. Andrew Wilkie, a top Australian intelligence official, didn’t think the available WMD intel justified invading Iraq. There are numerous examples, of course, but I'd like to quote a couple in full. ANDREW WILKIE: Well, if I could answer that in a slightly round-about way. MARK DAVIS: Well, if it is proven that US and British intelligence was manipulated for political purposes, Australian politicians could quite correctly claim, couldn't they, that they were misled by that intelligence or they were misled by Australian intelligence - they're only as good as the advice they're getting - was there a failing in your section to provide sharp and correct advice? The issue here is not really though what ONA was saying to the Government. This is an edited extract from Axis of Deceit by Andrew Wilkie, published by Black Inc. LINDA MOTTRAM: Unable, he says, to sit and watch in silence as Australia drifts towards war with Iraq, Andrew Wilkie, a senior Australian intelligence officer is this morning jobless at his own hand, after his resignation in protest against the Howard Government's position. Now that's hardly a firm basis for making national decisions. Did your section make it clear to the PM and Cabinet that the information you were receiving was "garbage grade"? MARK DAVIS: Well on September 17, Alexander Downer made similar claims to the House, based, he said, not on his political judgment but on the judgment of Australian intelligence. Wilkie, one of the forty-three retired military chiefs and diplomatsMore I recall clearly, PM Howard describing Iraq's WMD program on a number of occasions as 'massive' - a word never offered to the Government by organisations such as the Office of National Assessments. You could also do it yourself at any point in time. Catch up on SBS On Demand. https://morningmail.org/andrew-wilkie-jim-edit-dont-publish ANDREW WILKIE: ONA's statement to the media yesterday, I think has tried to play down my access to information on the Iraq issue, as I would have expected them to do, and I … Follow SBS News to join in the conversation and never miss the latest live updates. Download our free app on the App Store or Google Play for the latest headlines and breaking news alerts. I mean, there's a lot of history behind this, of course, and that helps to explain why the US was approaching the Iraq problem the way it was. But I make the point again that ONA was offering a much more moderate assessment than anything that was being said publicly in Canberra or in London or in Washington for that matter. Earlier, Mr. Wilkie served over 20 years as an Australian Army officer, reaching the rank of Lt. More recently, there was obvious political interference in the intelligence process in the US. 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I think although the junior analysts are still brave enough to offer frank and fearless advice, there is a tendency for the sharp edges to be knocked off the assessments before they reach the Government and for the management in these intelligence agencies to be quite reluctant to offer any view up to government that would be contrary to government policy. Quite the same Wikipedia. Just better. Andrew Wilkie ran for the Australian Greens in 2007. ... Wilkie, who worked as an analyst at the Office of National Assessments (ONA), said going to … ANDREW WILKIE: Well, some of my colleagues would've believed it. SBS acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia. The ONA was thrown into the spotlight in March last year following the resignation of one of its officers Andrew Wilkie amid a blaze of publicity. Updated 23/08/2013 MARK DAVIS: Andrew Wilkie, welcome to 'Dateline'. Andrew Wilkie. Until he quit nine days before the attack on Iraq, Andrew Wilkie was a senior analyst in Australia’s premier intelligence agency, the Office of National Assessments (ONA). Andrew Wilkie. Andrew Wilkie is an independent Australian MP. Andrew Wilkie rose to global prominence as the only spook working for a "coalition of the willing" government to resign in protest against the pending war in Iraq. The Director-General himself running around asking, "Well, have we seen this intelligence? MARK DAVIS: Well, just lastly, it wasn't just politicians who were relying on US intelligence reports. I don't dispute that. Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox. Mark Davis spoke to Andrew Wilkie, former ONA officer, in Canberra earlier. On February 4, John Howard claimed in Parliament that the intelligence material collected over recent times to which Australia has contributed, points overwhelmingly to Saddam Hussein having acted in systematic defiance of the resolutions of the Security Council, maintaining his stockpile of chemical and biological weapons and sought to reconstitute a nuclear weapons program. By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS. Andrew Wilkie says Australia's support for military action is "bad policy, dumb policy." Michael Brissenden presents AM Monday to Friday from 8:00am on ABC Local Radio and 7:10am on Radio National. ANDREW WILKIE, FORMER INTELLIGENCE OFFICER: Yes, I think there needs to be an inquiry held in Australia as a matter of some urgency. Originally published on Upstart (19 April 2013) Federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has a big fight ahead of him this September as he takes on Labor for the key Tasmanian seat of Denison. Andrew Wilkie resigned from ONA in protest against the way intelligence was used to justify Australia's support for war on Iraq. He was the only serving intelligence officer from the Coalition of the Willing - the US, the UK and Australia - to do so. You can also listen to the story in REAL AUDIO and WINDOWS MEDIA formats. After years of working in intelligence, Wilkie … Before entering politics Wilkie was an infantry officer in the Australian Army. The example that really comes to mind very clearly to me was when the US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented evidence to the Security Council in February about Iraq's links to al-Qa'ida. He also added, he made comments about a nuclear program that was being developed. MARK DAVIS: Andrew Wilkie, thanks for joining us. The ONA document, while being top-secret, was “unremarkable”, according to the AFP, and Wilkie himself put much of its contents in the public arena before Bolt’s article. Andrew Wilkie resigned from the Office of National Assessments (ONA), in March, in protest at the Australian government’s decision to join the war against Saddam Hussein. Many in the media were as well. ANDREW WILKIE: Well, I think it's important that I point out that the Office of National Assessments was briefing the Government that Iraq had some sort of weapons of mass destruction program. In 2003, in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, an ONA intelligence officer named Andrew Wilkie resigned from the agency, citing ethical concerns in relation to selective and exaggerated use of intelligence by the Australian Government on the matter of … prior to that he worked for Australia's Office of National Assessments as an intelligence analyst, resigning from his position at ONA prior to the invasion of Iraq because he feared the humanitarian consequences of the invasion. Did the intelligence point to that conclusion in your opinion, overwhelmingly or otherwise? He was the only serving Intelligence Officer from the Coalition of the Willing - the US, UK and The dramatic move was reported throughout the world. When the government of Prime Minister John … Andrew Damien Wilkie (born 8 November 1961 in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian politician and independent federal member for Clark. The program is broadcast around Australia at 08:00 on ABC Local Radio. The Andrew Bolt - Andrew Wilkie case shows the lengths Federal Police will go to in hunting down a In 2003 Andrew Wilkie resigned from the Office of ANDREW WILKIE: Well, I think there's two dimensions to that issue. Tasmanian federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie is named in a confidential Australian Federal Police investigation as the possible leaker of a “top secret” national ­security document that he co-wrote about the risks of war in Iraq 13 years ago. He is standing in … Agenda, $29.95, available from Tuesday. Were there any instances where you were consigning US reports to the rubbish bin, as you've written, only to see those same reports appearing as lead stories in Australian newspapers? Wilkie had been a senior analyst in Australia’s premier intelligence agency, the Offi ce of National Assessments (ONA). I can remember very clearly the frantic activity that following day in the Office of National Assessments. The ONA has ordered a federal police investigation into how elements of one of … ANDREW WILKIE: In my opinion, the Office of National Assessments has advised the Government and is probably still advising the Government that Iraq did have a weapons of mass destruction program. Andrew Damien Wilkie (born 8 November 1961 in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian politician and independent federal member for Denison.Before entering politics Wilkie was an infantry officer in the Australian Army.. Wilkie served with the Australian Army from 1980 to 2004. The Government denies leaking a report by former Office of National Assessments analyst Andrew Wilkie, in an attempt to discredit the vocal critic of its pre-Iraq war rhetoric. The dramatic move was reported throughout the world." It was, I think, how the Government was exaggerating that reasonably moderate assessment - exaggerating it to a great deal to justify the war. This is an edited extract from Axis of Deceit by Andrew Wilkie, published by Black Inc. He said, "Australian intelligence agencies report "Iraq's continuing attempts to procure equipment, "material and technologies "that could assist in its weapons of mass destruction program. MARK DAVIS: Well, was there political interference in Australia - was there downwards pressure on your section to wordsmith or craft the intelligence to suit political purposes? Others would have been, like me, very, very sceptical of it. "In March 2003, Andrew Wilkie resigned from Australia's senior intelligence agency, ONA, in protest over the looming Iraq war. Agenda, $29.95, available from Tuesday. The Andrew Bolt - Andrew Wilkie case shows the lengths Federal Police will go to in hunting down a In 2003 Andrew Wilkie resigned from the Office of Australian Lt Col resigned from ONA intelligence on 11 March 2003 protesting no hard evidence for Iraqi WMD; calls for Oz PM John Howard to answer for Iraq invasion ZAMPARINI, Gabriele. In my opinion, the Government exaggerated the scale of Iraq's WMD program. I think there was a feeling in some quarters that the PM was living in a bit of a time warp when he referred to Iraq having 'form', and he rattled off a list of Iraq's sins. In 2003, in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, an ONA intelligence officer named Andrew Wilkie resigned from the agency, citing ethical concerns in relation to selective and exaggerated use of intelligence by the Australian Government on the matter of Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. I think the... MARK DAVIS: What was your reaction and the reaction of your colleagues when you heard that statement and it was referred to as "information that Australia had contributed to"? The Government exaggerated any links between Iraq and al-Qa'ida. The leak of intelligence whistleblower Andrew Wilkie's top secret ONA report on Iraq to Government-friendly journalist Andrew Bolt in June began to … Andrew Wilkie was a lieutenant colonel in the Australia Defence Force before he joined ONA (Office of National Assessments ) as a Senior Strategic Analyst. MARK DAVIS: Well on the question of Iraq, it's links with al-Qa'ida and the amount of weapons of mass destruction that it had - what was your department briefing the PM and Cabinet? ANDREW WILKIE: No, I don't agree with what the PM said on 4 February, and, in fact, I recall the statement he made that day and in that he referred to a publicly available CIA document dated October 2002, which by early this year was regarded by many people I think as a clear exaggeration of Iraq's capability. "They judge Saddam Hussein's desire for weapons of mass destruction "remains undiminished." Andrew Damien Wilkie (born 8 November 1961 in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian politician and independent federal member for Clark.Before entering politics Wilkie was an infantry officer in the Australian Army.. Wilkie served with the Australian Army from 1980 to 2004. Join Elizabeth Jackson for the Saturday edition at 8am on Local Radio and 7am on Radio National. Andrew Wilkie rose to global prominence as the only spook working for a "coalition of the willing" government to resign in protest against the pending war in Iraq. From 1999 to 2000, he worked on a range of issues including Kosovo, terrorism, WMD and border protection. "What is this intelligence?" Adding to the pressure to condense was Howard's personal direction that ONA's reports be produced in a larger 13-point script so that they would be easier for him to read. The leak of intelligence whistleblower Andrew Wilkie's top secret ONA report on Iraq to Government-friendly journalist Andrew Bolt in June began to haunt Howard last week after his government brazenly briefed government backbencher Sandy Macdonald on its contents to hit Wilkie over the head with in the parliamentary inquiry into Howard's pre-war intelligence. The Government exaggerated any likelihood of Iraq passing weapons of mass destruction to al-Qa'ida. But the former ONA intelligence analyst is far from intimidated. Get the news that matters straight to your inbox. We love feedback: help us improve by rating the app and sharing your suggestions at apps@sbs.com.au. As election night drew to a close, Andrew Wilkie, the intelligence expert who resigned from the Office of National Assessments (ONA) in protest as the Iraq war began, took the podium at the Epping club in Sydney to thank his audience of supporters and friends. Watch SBS World News live daily at 6:30pm on TV and on our app. From 1999 to 2000, he worked on a range of issues including Kosovo, terrorism, WMD and border protection. Our most recent open appeal to you, “Now It’s Your Turn,” was made on August 22, 2003. Andrew Wilkie, senior analyst with the Office of National Assessment (ONA), talks to the media in 2003 after he resigned in protest against the government's stance on Iraq. The source code for the WIKI 2 extension is being checked by specialists of the Mozilla Foundation, Google, and Apple. Adding to the pressure to condense was Howard's personal direction that ONA's reports be produced in a larger 13-point script so that they would be easier for him to read. The other dimension is there has been a subtle politicisation of the intelligence community in Australia under this government. ANDREW WILKIE: Yes, well I'm sure that the politicians in all three capitals are now manoeuvring to shift blame to their intelligence agencies. Not least because the governments in the US, the UK and Australia sold us this war on the basis of Iraq's massive weapons of mass destruction program, a program that hasn't been found as yet and no matter what's found now, it's not likely to be 'massive' as described by our own PM. Andrew Wilkie believes ONA document leaked by Government insider: PRINT FRIENDLY: EMAIL STORY: PM - Tuesday, 9 September , 2003 18:30:00 Reporter: Catherine McGrath Andrew Wilkie: Rising to the Challenge. ... His secret ONA document was sent to a newspaper columnist and used to criticise Mr Wilkie’s stand. In 2003, in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, an ONA intelligence officer named Andrew Wilkie resigned from the agency, citing ethical concerns in relation to selective and exaggerated use of intelligence by the Australian Government on the matter of Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. That's it. I put on the record, the day I resigned, my judgment that at best Iraq's, or at worst, depending on your point of view, Iraq's WMD program was disjointed and contained and I'd stand by that assessment.
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