Defence Australia has told Senator David Shoebridge it won’t release details of arms transfers to Israel because it could damage Australia’s reputation.
Responding to a Freedom of Information request from Shoebridge’s office, the department said, “The release of such information could harm Australia’s international standing and reputation.”
Shoebridge, a member of the Australian Greens party, questioned how Australia could have “hundreds of secret defence export permits … but no weapons sold to Israel”.
“Australia has a secret defence industry cooperation deal with Israel and you’re not allowed to know what’s in it,” he said in a post on social media.
