Labor wants commission leaks ruled out

The prime minister's department has been asked by Labor to investigate speculation that parts of the banking royal commission's final report were leaked.

Federal Labor is urging the prime minister's department to confirm no parts of the banking royal commission's final report were leaked ahead of its release, prompting a buy-up of bank shares.

The push comes after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg resolutely denied any third parties were given advance notice of the report's contents.

Labor financial services spokeswoman Claire O'Neil is concerned he may not be right, referring to "concerning allegations" of leaks in a letter to the department of prime minister and cabinet.

Ms O'Neil has highlighted that at about 11am on Monday, investors purchased half a billion dollars worth of bank shares, which turned a $22 million profit within 24 hours.

"A professional fund manager quotes in a report today by respected economic commentator Michael Pascoe concludes that this is a clear case of insider trading, saying 'any alternative explanation is fanciful'", she wrote on Wednesday.

"I ask that you investigate whether information in the report was leaked by a ministerial office, a minister or a member of the Australian Public Service prior to its publication."

But Mr Frydenberg told ABC's 7.30 program on Monday that no third parties outside of government were shown the report in advance of a "lock-up" of journalists and stakeholders on Monday afternoon.

"Absolutely not. There was a lock-up and there were security guards around Parliament House. There was obviously treasury officials and it was very, very closely monitored."


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Source: AAP



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