Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The leaking of the information, as mentioned just then by Senator Brandis and as I have previously advised, compromised the process. The government viewed the leak as serious, so serious, as Senator Brandis has indicated in his question, as to justify calling in the AFP. This action was in line with the advice of all departments involved. Taking this into account, as well as the fact that the leaking of confidential information was a matter which required investigation by the Australian Federal Police, the government was forced to abandon the Australia Network tender process. There was no way to assure ourselves that the final result in a negotiation as yet to take place was not open to challenge.