Liberal MP rebuked for leak

A federal Liberal MP has been rebuked for leaking to a newspaper a confidential
Defence Department briefing to a parliamentary committee.
Peter Lindsay, who represents the Townsville-based seat of Herbert, could have
eroded trust in the joint committee on public works, which investigates all major
government building projects, parliament was told on Tuesday.
Mr Lindsay is a member of the committee, which is looking into a Defence
accommodation project.
Chief Government Whip Roger Price said that at a meeting on February 4, Defence
officials briefed the committee on commercially confidential matters.
Next morning the Townsville Bulletin newspaper published a report on the briefing,
with Mr Lindsay named as the source.
Mr Price said Mr Lindsay had confirmed he spoke to the journalist and had apologised.
The committee was particularly concerned that the information given to it was
explicitly acknowledged by all parties as confidential, Mr Price said.
"In order to fulfil its statutory responsibilities, the committee needs to be able
to discuss commercially sensitive matters, financial options and tendering processes
in a frank and open manner with government agencies," he said.
"In the committee's opinion, Mr Lindsay's action has eroded the trust with which the
committee has dealt with agencies."
Mr Price said the committee believed Mr Lindsay had made a serious error of judgment.
"The full extent of the consequences of this event will only become apparent in the
future," Mr Price said.
"Nonetheless, the committee concludes that the unauthorised release of this
information may substantially interfere with the future work of the committee."
Speaker Harry Jenkins will consider the committee's report on the incident.
Mr Lindsay announced last month he would not be standing for re-election at the next
federal poll.