The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has conducted two searches in Melbourne as part of an investigation into leaked NBN documents.
The AFP said the investigation concerned allegations of the unauthorised disclosure of Commonwealth information, which were the subject of a referral from nbn in December 2015.
This investigation into the leaked documents has been ongoing since then.
The leaked documents call into question the success and timeline of the nbn rollout, but nbn said it has a proven track record of meeting or exceeded its key targets as set by its board.
The AFP said it conducted search warrants in East Melbourne and Brunswick independent of government.
The searches were conducted at offices of former communications minister Senator Stephen Conroy and the home of a Labor staffer.
The next phase of the investigation involves the examination and analysis of material collected during these search warrants.
nbn said it has been assisting the Australian Federal Police with the investigation, which included facilitating interviews with a number of nbn employees.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has said it was senior nbn management who referred these matters to the AFP, after the leaks of commercially sensitive information.
“The referral to the AFP was made by the nbn senior management. I did not instruct nor request them to do so. It was quite properly a matter for nbn,” Mr Fifield said.
“As an AFP investigation was underway, I did not advise other Ministers or the Prime Minister of this matter. I have had no interaction with the AFP during their investigation. Nor did I have any knowledge of, nor involvement in, matters that occurred this week, as was confirmed by the AFP Commissioner.”
