DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 178/09
Friday, 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.”
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
“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.”
A declassified version of the report is available on the Defence website at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
