The long-running legal cases of a former spy and his lawyer, who are at the centre of a bugging scandal involving East Timor, have returned to a Canberra court.
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Bernard Collaery is facing conspiracy charges after allegedly helping a former client - an intelligence officer known as Witness K - blow the whistle on the 2004 diplomatic incident.
The twin cases centre on Australia bugging of East Timor's cabinet rooms, while the two countries were locked in negotiations over an oil deal.
Mr Collaery was not in the ACT Supreme Court when his matter was mentioned briefly on Thursday morning.
His lawyers have been given until next month to respond to evidence provided by the prosecution.
Witness K's case was also expected back in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, but was adjourned until October 8.
Mr Collaery's case will next return to court on October 24, while a separate hearing will consider how national security information will be dealt with in his trial.
A small group of supporters gathered outside the court carrying placards emblazoned with messages such as "protect whistle-blowers" and "don't hide illegal activity".
While Mr Collaery is fighting the charges, Witness K is eventually expected to plead guilty.
Australian Associated Press
