A federal government source has contradicted Prime Minister Julia Gillard's statement that a former staffer acted alone when he passed on information to a third party that led to a security scare at an Australia Day event, an indigenous newspaper says.
The National Indigenous Times (NIT) reported today that an unnamed source, described as holding a "senior position within government bureaucracy", had told it a number of people within Ms Gillard's office knew beforehand the "leak" was going to happen.
The explosive report, which has not been confirmed, comes after a protest last Thursday at The Lobby Restaurant in Canberra sparked a security scare involving Ms Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Gillard media adviser Tony Hodges resigned last Friday, after making an "unauthorised phone call" about the whereabouts of Mr Abbott to indigenous ACT union official Kim Sattler, who passed on the information to Aboriginal tent embassy organisers.
"The federal government source said Mr Hodges did not act alone, that others in his office were aware of what was planned and the intention behind the call, and those who were aware may have included the Prime Minister herself," the page three report, by Gerry Georgatos, says, according to an extract seen by AAP.
About 200 protesters had headed to the restaurant, angry at what they mistakenly believed was a call by Mr Abbott to remove the embassy from its site outside Old Parliament House.
As the protest escalated, Ms Gillard's security detail advised that she leave.
She was bundled down some steps, losing a shoe and almost tumbling, and rushed to a waiting car, with Mr Abbott running close behind.
Ms Gillard has since said Mr Hodges "acted alone" and his actions were "grave error of judgment".
"Mr Hodges, in taking these actions, acted alone and his actions were not authorised. Clearly they are viewed by me as unacceptable," she told reporters on the weekend.
The incident at The Lobby has been described as the worst political security scare in 30 years.
According to Ms Gillard's account, she did not know about Mr Hodge's involvement until late last Friday afternoon after attending an awards ceremony at Flowerdale in country Victoria.
Mr Hodges had informed his superiors - the senior press secretary and communications director - about his actions and her office spent the day investigating.
The federal opposition has called for the Australian Federal Police to investigate the events leading up to the security scare.
AAP
.gif)
17 comments
More comments
Comments are now closed