Michael McLaren says that while two of Australia’s prominent national security figures have urged the country to embrace honesty, decision-makers and the population need to be open and willing.

“Democracy is best served when the discussions and debates that feed it are imbued with as much openness and sunlight as possible,” he said.

“As a nation, we should trust that our institutions and national shoulders are broad enough to carry the burden of tough conversations and always seek what’s right rather than what we believe we need to hear,” he added.

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