Queensland MP Billy Gordon is considering legal action against those who leaked details of his criminal history.
Mr Gordon was forced to quit the Labor party last week over domestic violence allegations, which he denies, and failing to tell the premier about his criminal history.
But he has refused the premier's calls for him to quit parliament and allow a by-election in his electorate of Cook, saying the law never required him to do that.
In a statement outlining his intention to remain in parliament as an independent, Mr Gordon said the leaking of juvenile and spent criminal records for political ends was deeply disturbing.
Under the Rehabilitated Offenders Act, offenders who spend no time or less than three years in prison, and who do not re-offend, effectively have their record cleared after 10 years.
It's an offence to reveal details of criminal histories protected under the act, unless the person concerned chooses to disclose them.
Mr Gordon later told the indigenous radio station Bumma Bippera that he was examining legal options against anyone who leaked details of his criminal past.
"Yes, definitely we are looking at the legal options available to us," he said.
"There are certainly people that have no lawful right to have in possession that particular information."
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