Independent
senator says royal commission ‘only way to get to the truth’ of allegations
Australia bugged Timor-Leste’s cabinet room during trade talks
The
independent senator Nick Xenophon has
called for a royal commission into Australia allegedly bugging Timor-Leste’s
cabinet room during trade negotiations.
Timor-Leste has
been in dispute with Australia after allegations by a whistleblower from the
Australian Secret Intelligence Service (Asis) – known as witness K – that the
country’s cabinet room was bugged during negotiations for an oil and gas treaty
in 2004.
The
ABC revealed on Thursday that a representative sent to Dili in 2012 to
deal with the dispute had been involved in the alleged bugging operation,
causing further diplomatic concerns. The ABC also reported senior intelligence
officials had raised concerns about the operation.
On
Friday Xenophon appeared with the former NSW director of public prosecutions,
Nicholas Cowdery – who
said he believed the operation may have breached Australian law – and
said further inquiries into the Asis operation were needed.
“If
in fact Asis was used solely for the purpose of getting a commercial advantage
for Australian companies over East Timor and its oil resources that is
undoubtedly scandalous,” Xenophon said. “The only way we can get to the truth
of this is through a royal commission.”
Intelligence
officers who had behaved appropriately “should not have their home raided”,
Xenophon said, in reference to raids
carried out in December 2013 to seize documents about the
international dispute. The raids on witness K’s residence and the offices of
East Timor’s lawyer, Bernard Collaery, were authorised by the Australian
attorney general, George Brandis.
Timor-Leste
is involved in international legal action against Australia over the raids.
However, Australia
recently agreed to return documents relating to the dispute after a
series of appeals in the international court of justice.
The
Australian federal police has
prepared a brief of evidence in relation to the disclosures made by
witness K, who could potentially face prosecution under Australia’s sweeping
disclosure laws. The Asis agent, whose identity remains secret, has also had
his passport seized.
The
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is expected to make a decision next
week on whether to reissue Witness K’s passport.
Paul Farrell – The
Guardian
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