Image Gallery: May 2009
29 May 2009
Defence Review finds no investigation of Minister
A review into allegations that Defence staff conducted a covert investigation and leaked personal information about the Minister for Defence has found that the allegations are entirely without foundation. These are very serious allegations and, if proven correct, could have led to the laying of criminal charges.
The Secretary of Defence Nick Warner said, “The Defence review was extremely thorough and comprehensive. It found no evidence to support allegations that Defence officials had investigated either the Minister or Ms Liu.”
“Indeed, the investigation confirmed that no Defence investigative authority or intelligence agency was aware of Ms Liu before the media article on 26 March,” Mr Warner said.
“It also found no evidence to support claims that Defence officials used the Defence Signals Directorate to improperly access the Minister's IT systems.
“I directed the Defence Security Authority to determine if there was any substance to media allegations first raised on 26 March.
“The investigation was conducted with complete professionalism. Independent best practice guidance on the investigative methodology was provided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. External security intelligence and law enforcement agencies were consulted, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman was briefed.
All relevant areas of Defence were reviewed with particular attention given to areas assessed to have the skills, knowledge and access relevant to the allegations.
The investigation involved over 1700 people from across Defence, the completion of over 1300 statutory declarations responding to the allegations and over 600 interviews.
Mr Warner said, “I considered it important for Defence to take every measure to investigate these claims. The review has affirmed the integrity of the organisation and the people who work in it. I am not surprised at this outcome.”
“These allegations have attacked the integrity of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force and had the potential to damage important institutions that defend Australia’s security.
“The lack of any evidence to support the allegations points to the integrity and loyalty of our people. I thank them for participating in our investigation and continue to have full confidence in our people who work in Defence intelligence and security areas,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Ian Carnell, announced on 27 March that he would inquire into the specific allegations that Defence Signals Directorate staff improperly accessed the Minister's IT equipment. This inquiry is continuing.
Mr Warner said, “Defence will continue to cooperate with Mr Carnell’s investigation and I very much look forward to his findings.”
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| 20090529adf74181_41 The Secretary of Defence Mr Nick Warner, briefs the media on the outcome of a review into allegations that Defence staff conducted a covert investigation and leaked personal information about the Minister for Defence. (Date taken: 29 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090529adf74181_50 The Secretary of Defence Mr Nick Warner, briefs the media on the outcome of a review into allegations that Defence staff conducted a covert investigation and leaked personal information about the Minister for Defence. (Date taken: 29 May 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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