The Defence Department today welcomed the announcement made by the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS), Mr Ian Carnell, to hold an inquiry into media allegations about the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) improperly accessing the IT equipment used by the Minister for Defence, and related matters.
“These are serious charges and the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and I welcome Mr Carnell’s independent scrutiny of these matters” said the Secretary of Defence, Mr Nick Warner.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security provides independent assurance for the Prime Minister, senior ministers and Parliament as to whether Australia's intelligence and security agencies act legally and with propriety by inspecting, inquiring into and reporting on their activities.
“Defence supports and will fully cooperate with Mr Carnell’s investigation,” Secretary Warner said.
“As soon as CDF and I became aware of these allegations, I directed the Defence Security Authority (DSA) to prepare an interim report as soon as possible.
“The DSA has now provided an initial assessment to the CDF and me, which we have passed to the Minister.
“The DSA’s initial assessment is that:
* no investigation of the Minister, his personal relationship with Ms Helen Liu or of Ms Liu herself has been conducted by any element of Defence;
* prior to the current media articles, no Defence investigative authority was aware of Ms Liu, and;
* neither the Defence Signals Directorate nor any other part of Defence has had any access, authorised or unauthorised, to personal information within the Minister’s office, including telephone contact numbers.
“These are preliminary findings and Defence will continue to investigate further, in cooperation with Mr Carnell.”
“I have provided this initial assessment to Mr Carnell to assist his investigations,” Secretary Warner said.
