David McBride’s appeal has begun in the ACT Supreme Court.

The former army lawyer is serving time in the Alexander Maconochie Centre after being sentenced to five years and eight months, for pleading guilty to obtaining and disseminating classified information.

He was sentenced in November 20-23, accused of stealing commonwealth information and passing that to journalists.

Mr McBride will remain in jail until at least August 2026 if his appeal is unsuccessful.