Wilkie says spy, lawyer in Timor scandal facing criminal charges

A former intelligence officer who revealed Australia's overseas spy agency had bugged Timor Leste's ministerial offices during negotiations between the two countries is facing criminal charges along with his lawyer.

Andrew Wilkie in parliament Source: AAP

Australia started eavesdropping in 2004, allegedly to help in the dispute over a maritime boundary related to vast undersea oil and gas reserves.

That boundary dispute with Timor Leste was finally resolved this year.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has used parliamentary privilege to reveal the former officer and his lawyer, Bernard Collaery, are now the subjects of criminal charges brought by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions