Australia spy agency takes possession of secret files left at second-hand shop

 

FILE PHOTO - Former Australian Prime Minister and ASPI President Kevin Rudd gives a speech during the 2017 Asia Game Changer Awards and Gala Dinner in Manhattan, New York, U.S. November 1, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's domestic spy agency on Thursday took possession of thousands of classified documents that were left at a second-hand furniture shop as the government struggles to contain an embarrassing security lapse.

 

The documents, which revealed top-secret details of five previous governments that under Australian law should remain secured for at least 20 years, were left inside a filing cabinet that was then sold at a store in Canberra that was stocked with ex-government furniture.

 

The documents were then passed onto the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that ran a string of stories, embarrassing former prime ministers and several lawmakers who still occupy prominent positions inside Australia's centre-right government.

 

The ABC said the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation took the files after talks with the spy agency in recent days, though as part of negotiations the national broadcaster said it will still have access to the files.

 

The documents showed: Australia's now treasurer Scott Morrison sought to slow down security checks on refugees in order to restrict their chances of resettlement; former Prime Minister Tony Abbott considered abolishing financial aid to unemployed young Australians; the country's police lost hundreds of sensitive files.

 

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said there had been a serious breach of security.

 

"Obviously someone's had a shocker and the investigation will find out exactly how this happened," Joyce told ABC radio on Thursday.

 

"In the process of running a country, there are things which go awry. This is one of them."

 

Seeking to minimise the fallout of the security lapse, prominent conservative lawmakers have sought to focus attention on the decision of the ABC to publish details found within the top secret files.

 

The ABC defended the publication, insisting it was in the national interest, though former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Twitter on Thursday that he had launched legal action against the national broadcaster.

 

Rudd was this week left embarrassed after the ABC ran a story that said the former leader had ignored advice around the dangers of a home insulation package in 2008.

 

Rudd was later cleared on any wrongdoing by an independent investigation with sweeping powers, which he said the ABC ignored in its reporting.

 

"The report by the ABC alleging I ignored warnings on the risks to the safety of installers of home insulation is a lie," Rudd said in the statement.

"Legal proceedings against the ABC has now commenced."

 

(Reporting by Colin Packham in Sydney; Editing by James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-01

The story is not quite right. ASIO provided small safes to the offices of the ABC so the ABC could retain the documents but at the same time, ensure limited access.

This is a major SNAFU. However bear in mind that options ranging from worst to best case are often discussed to fashion a policy initiative. Just because something a bit out there is listed for discussion, does not mean that it is a serious policy position. Whoever got rid of the cabinets without opening them has a serious case of dereliction of duty to confront.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"In the process of running a country, there are things which go awry. This is one of them."

Indeed. But in the process of running a country, as he so succinctly put it,  it shouldn't.

The files should have been sent to wikileaks for maximum effect.

7 hours ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Indeed. But in the process of running a country, as he so succinctly put it,  it shouldn't.

He is mentally challenged

Edited February 1, 20188 yr by 1sickpuppy