Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 51, I wish to raise a matter of privilege. I raise this matter of privilege under standing order 51 as it concerns the unauthorised disclosure of proceedings of a parliamentary committee. A number of reports concerning a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement report, which is to be tabled in the parliament today, appeared in the press in the last two days. They include, on page 1 of the Sydney Morning Herald today, direct quotes from the committee report. I table the following items: the Sydney Morning Herald of 16 June 2011; a report on page 15 of the Herald Sun of 15 June headed 'Airport security slack'; an article from the Daily Telegraph of15 June titled 'Air security flaws'; an editorial from the Herald Sun of 15 June titled 'Terror attacks still a danger'; on 16 June, today, page 1 of the Canberra Times is the heading 'Domestic flyers facing photo ID checks'; on page 4 of the Western Australian of today is an article titled 'Photo ID proposals for flights'; and on 14 June, two days ago, and once again on the front page, the Australian Financial Review headline 'Air safety under scrutiny'.

The fact that these reports include references to this inquiry and, in particular, direct quotes which appear to come from this committee report would seem to reveal details of confidential proceedings of the Joint Committee on Law Enforcement in connection with its inquiry into the adequacy of aviation and maritime security measures to combat serious and organised crime.

The unauthorised disclosure of committee proceedings is a long and recognised category of contempt. I refer to the House of Representatives Practice pages 681, 682, 701 and 702. Such unauthorised disclosure has serious implications for the successful completion of inquiries for the conduct of a committee's business generally and for the integrity of the whole parliamentary committee system.

I want to make it clear, Mr Speaker, that I am raising these issues as the Leader of the House, not with my portfolio responsibilities. As provided by standing order 53, I have tabled copies of the articles in question. I ask that you consider what I regard as a very serious matter in accordance with the established procedures for dealing with such complaints. Any breach of a committee of inquiry such as this is a serious issue. The fact that this is an inquiry about security raises the issue to an even higher level than were it a committee about any other policy area. I regard it as a very serious issue, and I therefore ask you to consider the matter.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Leader of the House for bringing this matter to my attention. In accordance with the traditional practice of the House in dealing with such matters in the first instance, I will ask the joint committee to consider the matter and report back to me.