Freedom of information, truth and the media

Much of the evidence from the 2002 Senate Select Committee inquiry into a 'Certain Maritime

Incident' must be viewed as inconclusive, as most of the critical information was kept secret. A

number of federal government departments and agencies refused to reveal to committee

hearings most of their critical information on intelligence relating to border protection, asylumseekers,

people-smugglers, double agents and a tragic boat sinking. The final Senate report

stated that much of the intelligence material has been heavily censored and as a consequence,

gaps exist in the intelligence picture on the tragic sinking of the boat named SIEV X.