Fairfax is reporting the staffer in question works for shadow communications minister Jason Clare.
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Mr Turnbull of the other hand has visited shipyards and spent time with factory workers and business owners in a bid to push his party’s economic polices.
It was later revealed that the staffer took 32 photographs on their phone of documents which Labor claims fall under parliamentary privilege, meaning the AFP can not access the files until parliament determines whether to give them the status.
Labor has questioned the “quite extraordinary” timing of the raids, coming as they did towards the end of the second week campaigning for the July 2 election.
“There has been no influence on the AFP in the conduct of this investigation”, Colvin said.
Sensitive documents have been repeatedly leaked since late previous year revealing budget blow-outs, delays, and alternative network architectures.
Senator Fifield’s comments appear to conflict with those of AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin, who said on Friday the government first became aware of the investigation shortly after the commencement of the raids. Co-incidentally, both Mr. Shorten and PM Malcolm Turnbull were attending the same event at the time of the news, although both made independent statements.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield knew NBN Co had asked the Australian Federal Police to investigate the leaking of sensitive internal documents, but says he didn’t inform the Prime Minister or any of his cabinet colleagues. As communications minister, Turnbull was responsible for the decision to make the NBN operate through fibre-to-the-node, with the final stage of upgraded Internet services to be delivered by copper wire.
We will ensure every Australian continues to have access to affordable medicines by reversing Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to hike out-of-pocket costs for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
“They operate entirely independently of the Government and so this is a matter for the AFP, the Labor party know that as well as you and I do”, Mr Turnbull said.
“This is about the right for the public to know the truth”, said Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Suggestions that NBN™ referred the matter to the AFP was confirmed by Karina Keisler, a spokesperson for the company, on Twitter.
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The Turnbull government insists it had nothing to do with police raids on the offices of a senior Labor frontbencher and staffers.
