Police sought ABC journalist’s travel records

LABOR has demanded an explanation from the government after federal police requested a journalist’s private travel records from Qantas, amid concerns about press freedom.

But the Australian Federal Police and their ministerial steward aren’t giving the opposition any ground, stressing that any comment on an ongoing investigation would be inappropriate. The AFP asked for senior ABC reporter Dan Oakes’ travel details as part of an investigation into a leak which exposed allegations of misconduct by Australian troops in Afghanistan.

The development appears to suggest police could be building a case against the reporter, in addition to the whistleblower, who has already admitted leaking the information.

It also potentially contradicts an assurance made by Attorney-General Christian Porter last month, that there was “absolutely no suggestion” any journalist was the subject of the AFP investigation.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Porter should detail the circumstances around the police’s demands.

“He says that journalists aren’t the target of these investigations, but the fact that there was a demand by the AFP for records of flights from a journalist from Qantas shows that’s not the case,” Mr Albanese said yesterday.

A spokesman for Mr Porter stressed it was Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, rather than the attorney-general, who had oversight of the AFP.

A spokeswoman for Mr Dutton said he would not comment on ongoing matters. This sentiment was also espoused by the AFP.

“As this investigation remains ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment,” a spokesman for the agency said.

Police raided the ABC’s Sydney headquarters last month, and former Australian military lawyer David William McBride is awaiting trial over the leak.

News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst’s Canberra home was also searched in relation to a separate story, triggering vocal concerns over press freedom.

“We’re concerned about whistleblowers as well as journalists being targeted in a way that is not appropriate and the government needs to explain what the circumstances of these AFP demands were,” Mr Albanese said.

A parliamentary inquiry is under way, with the committee expected to canvass “contested hearings” in relation to warrants authorising raids on journalists.

HE SAYS THAT JOURNALISTS AREN’T THE TARGET OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS, BUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A DEMAND BY THE AFP FOR RECORDS OF FLIGHTS FROM A JOURNALIST FROM QANTAS SHOWS THAT’S NOT THE CASE. LABOR LEADER ANTHONY ALBANESE, PICTURED