Extract from ABC News
Updated
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has
effectively accused the Turnbull Government of orchestrating police
raids on an ALP frontbencher's office.
Key points:
- Bill Shorten suggests the Government asked NBN Co to refer a leak of documents to the AFP
- Malcolm Turnbull rejects Labor's accusations of inappropriate influence
- NBN spokesman confirms investigation relates to the "ongoing theft of intellectual property"
Last night the Australian Federal Police searched the office of Labor frontbencher Stephen Conroy and the homes of two Labor staffers in Melbourne.
Police are investigating the leaked documents about the National Broadband Network.
Bill Shorten said he accepts the AFP's assurance that police acted independently of the Government, but he suggested the Government asked NBN Co to refer the leak to the police.
He has also drawn a link directly with the Prime Minister, and his former role as communications minister in the Abbott government when he directly oversaw NBN Co's activities.
"I have made it clear that this investigation was requested by the NBN Co, the flagship of Malcolm Turnbull's time in government," Mr Shorten said.
"This government cannot distance itself from the actions of the NBN Co.
"It is inconceivable that this government business enterprise is acting like a sort of a rogue gunman unbeknown to government what they're doing."
Why did the AFP raid Labor offices?
We explain whether the election campaign affects the way the AFP operates and the link between the NBN and the Government.
NBN Co is a government-owned corporation but the Prime Minister has rejected Labor's accusations of inappropriate influence.
"The first I heard of the AFP investigation was yesterday when I was advised by the Justice Minister shortly after he'd been advised by the Commissioner," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Tasmania.
"The NBN Co made a referral of a matter of concern, of illegal leaking of confidential commercial information. They made that referral to the AFP. The AFP made an independent decision to investigate it."
Mr Turnbull further attacked Labor, saying the comments were a shameful attack on the AFP.
"What Labor is doing is seeking to attack the integrity of the Australian Federal Police. That is a shameful thing to do."
Video: It is understood AFP officers raided the home of a Jason Clare staffer (ABC News)
A spokesman for NBN confirmed the investigation relates to the "ongoing theft of intellectual property", following a report to the AFP last December.
The leaks were damaging for the company because the documents suggested it was lagging behind expected timeframes for work to be complete.
Today's statement from the company went on to address those reports.
"NBN has a proven track record and has, over the last two years, met or exceeded its key targets as set by the board," it said.
"While risks do exist, the company is confident it can continue to meet or exceed all company targets including the build schedule, activations, and financial budget."
ABC named in warrant
The ABC has seen a warrant which suggests police are casting a wide net in their investigations.It names Senator Conroy, staffers, technology bloggers and four major media organisations, including the ABC.
External Link: Mark Dreyfus and Jason Clare press conference on AFP investigation
Labor has claimed parliamentary privilege on documents that were seized at the Commonwealth parliamentary office and at the private home.
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus suggested the timing of the raids was most concerning.
"[The AFP] can't be oblivious of external events," Mr Dreyfus said.
"We are in an election campaign, we're in the second week of an eight-week election campaign, the police must know that.
"They should have, I think, thought more and been more cautious about what the appearance of this might have been because there are obvious political connotations, it is obviously something that is directed at a Labor shadow minister and a Labor staffer."
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner has also responded to Mr Dreyfus.
"The AFP always acts independently and acts within the law," Commissioner Andrew Colvin told media at the organisation's headquarters in Canberra.
"This matter was referred to us in December of 2015 by NBN Co, not by the Government.
"In regard to Government and political influence that has been commented on this morning, there has been no influence, no influence on the AFP in the conduct of this investigation."
Mr Turnbull was questioned by reporters about whether his office has ever leaked government documents.
"I can only speak for my own time as PM, there's been no suggestion that I've ever heard of any leaks from my office," he said.
"We run a very tight ship."
No comments:
Post a Comment