Committee will investigate its own leak

24 May 2012, 9:56 am   -   Source: AAP

The committee investigating allegations Craig Thomson misled parliament will now look at whether one of its members leaked meeting details to the media.

RELATED

A parliamentary privileges committee will investigate its own members after details of discussions about MP Craig Thomson were leaked to the media.

The House of Representatives committee is examining whether Mr Thomson misled parliament on Monday when addressing allegations he misused union funds.

It met on Wednesday night at Parliament House in Canberra.

On Thursday morning, committee chair and Labor MP Yvette D'Ath told parliament a report on Fairfax websites appeared to reveal details of the meeting.

The report said the committee resolved to write to manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne, who raised the privileges matter, and ask him to specify where he thought Mr Thomson had deliberately misled the house.

It also said Labor members of the committee would not agree to a coalition push for the committee to advertise immediately for witnesses and submissions.

Ms D'Ath said the committee specifically discussed the importance of members not disclosing matters discussed by the committee while it was considering the issue.

"I am extremely disappointed that this disclosure has occurred."

She was unsure about the source of the leak but said she intended to pursue the matter with those on the committee.

Deputy chair, Liberal MP Patrick Secker, said he totally supported Ms D'Ath's decision.

Making unauthorised disclosures of private committee meetings can be regarded as contempt of parliament.

The Parliamentary Privileges Act allows for substantial penalties - fines of up to $5000 and six months jail - to be imposed on those who leak private proceedings or evidence.

Later Ms D'Ath released a statement about its inquiry.

"The committee currently is examining a number of matters including an inquiry relating to the Member for Dobell referred by the House," it said.

"The committee does not propose to provide any comment on any matters it is examining until it has reported to the House."

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube