AFP to probe NSW Labor MP’s raid leak

Federal police have launched an internal investigation after the media was tipped off about raids on a NSW Labor MP’s Sydney home.

Shaoquett Moselmane’s office and residence were searched in June after a joint Australian Federal Police-ASIO investigation into Chinese interference in Australia.

Cameras were present as officers raided Mr Moselmane’s Rockdale house.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney told Senate estimates the force was not impressed with the leak.

“It’s fair to say we were concerned that this matter was ventilated through the media,” he told the hearing.

“There’s been a referral into the AFP to undertake an investigation to identify whether anybody in the AFP conveyed information in relation to this investigation.”

He said the investigation focused on AFP members.

Mr Moselmane was suspended from the Labor Party after the raids but has denied any wrongdoing.

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said he had also looked into the matter.

“I’ve assured myself if there was a leak it did not come from my office,” he told the hearing.

Labor senator Kim Carr asked AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw if the leak matched the organisation’s standards.

“So it’s not part of your professional conduct to have the press accompany you when you’re raiding members of parliament’s homes at 6.30 in the morning?” Senator Carr said.

He confirmed it was not and denied the AFP had invited the media.

Matt Coughlan TCT