The Chief of Defence Force, ADML Chris Barrie, and the Secretary of Defence, Dr Allan Hawke, will seek, find and deal with people within Defence who "leak" information.

This undertaking from the Secretary came in an address to the Defence Watch Seminar at the National Press Club on February 27.

His address was dubbed One Year O, and was a follow on to his due diligence report on Defence delivered to the forum in which he set the scene for the renewal of the Defence organisation.

The text of his One Year On presentation can be viewed on Dr Hawke's own Secretary's home page on the Defence Website

Dr Hawke said Bill Cohen was asked about his greatest disappointment during his term as the US Secretary of Defence.

He replied immediately, " the frequency and speed with which national secrets appeared on the front pages of the newspapers."

There were instances where highly classified material addressed to him had been leaked to and appeared on the front pages of the newspapers before it had even reached his desk, Dr Hawke told the Seminar.

"Let me just say, I know how he feels. My views on leaks are set out in Attachment A to my paper," Dr Hawke said.

The attachment declared, "leaking or unauthorised disclosure of information obtained in the course of a person's work is unacceptable to me and the CDF.

"Specious arguments are sometimes advanced that such unprofessional conduct serves to 'keep the bastards honest' or is in the public interest.

"What's in the public interest is actually a matter for the Government, not unelected officials.

"I cannot conceive of any circumstances where leaking is justified, especially in Defence and especially where national security material is involved.
"Those who do leak should under that we will seek to find them and that the methods at our disposal mean there is a very good chance they will be caught and dealt with," Dr Hawke warned.

"It is readily accepted that leaking in return for personal advantage is immoral and corrupt.

"Disclosure of information to hinder or embarrass the Government or officials should be viewed in the same light.

"Some commentators are prone to equate leakers with whistleblowers.

"To my mind there is a clear distinction.

"Where illegal, unauthorised or improper actions are discovered, it is essential that the information be provided to proper authorities.
"It is also essential that there be mechanisms in place to ensure that such allegations are thoroughly examined without any retribution towards the whistleblower.

"My complain is against those who report, not to the proper authorities, but to external sources…those who abuse their positions of trust," Dr Hawke said.
.