Security boss furious at powder media leak

Parliament House's security boss told staff he would "burn the security division to the ground" over media leaks about white powder incidents.

Graeme Anderson

Parliament security boss Graeme Anderson stuck his finger in an unknown white powder and tasted it. (AAP)

A security chief who stuck his finger in white powder at Parliament House and tasted it also threatened to burn his division "to the ground" over media leaks.

Security branch assistant secretary Graeme Anderson was asked in a Senate committee hearing on Monday if he told multiple staff members "I'm going to burn this security division to the ground and start again".

"I don't recall saying that but I might have said that," Mr Anderson said.

"It sounds like something I might have said."

Parliament House security has been under scrutiny over white powder incidents, including one where Mr Anderson stuck his finger in some powder and tasted it.

BuzzFeed also reported claims staff feel under-trained and their hazardous materials suits were bought cheaply from Bunnings to deal with white powder threats.

Australian Federal Police is investigating another white powder incident near the prime minister's office in May.

Department of Parliamentary Services secretary Robert Stefanic said the leaks were "calculated to generate publicity" and undermine public confidence in security at Parliament House.

"These leaks by certain DPS officers certainly represent spills of classified information," Mr Stefanic told the committee.

Mr Stefanic said he had spoken to the AFP about the possibility of investigating the leaks.

Footage of the November incident where Mr Anderson put his finger in a white powder left in Parliament House has not been deleted but was not released to the committee.

Mr Anderson said the powder was sugar.


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Source: AAP



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