Turnbull condemns leaking of image
Penny Wong calls for investigation into photo picturing diplomat in Hong Kong incident
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has slammed the leaking of an image of a female diplomat caught up in the Jamie Briggs bar scandal.
The pixelated photo of a woman with Mr Briggs’s chief of staff was published by News Limited papers several days after the frontbencher’s resignation following the late-night incident in a Hong Kong bar last month. “From the outset I have sought to ensure the privacy of the public servant concerned has been protected,” Mr Turnbull said in a statement provided to the
ABC.
“Publishing the identity of a complainant in a case like this not only infringes their privacy, it serves actively to discourage other women who are concerned about the conduct of a superior from raising a complaint in the future.
“I urge all parties to respect the public servant’s privacy.”
Mr Turnbull earlier told Fairfax Media the publication of the picture, even if pixelated, along with other details including the woman’s job title and age, would deter victims of sexual harassment coming forward. Unions had called on the Federal Government to ensure the public servant who complained about former minister Mr Briggs had her privacy protected. According to News Limited and Fairfax, Mr Briggs said he took the photo in question and then distributed the image to colleagues before and after she made an official complaint.
It is unclear who then leaked the photo to the media. The woman’s name has not been revealed.
Investigation Acting Opposition Leader Penny Wong is calling for an investigation into the leaking of a photo of the female diplomat who filed a complaint against Liberal MP Jamie Briggs. Mr Briggs, the former cities and built environment minister, resigned from his portfolio last week after a late night incident involving the staffer in a Hong Kong bar during an official visit in December. Prime Minister Turnbull has expressed concerns for the woman’s privacy, but Senator Wong said action was needed. She told the ABC that the statement issued by Mr Turnbull was an insufficient response. ABC