Aussie state government refuses to cooperate with watchdog inquest into phone monitoring
Source: Xinhua   2017-01-13 13:34:49

SYDNEY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Victorian State government in Australia has refused to cooperate with a privacy watchdog probe into an audit of ministers' phones being undertaken by the government.

Ministers of Premier Daniel Andrews' cabinet were told in December that they would have to hand their phones over to consultancy firm KPMG who would try to find the source of a Cabinet leak about police resources.

In mid-December, Victorian Privacy Commissioner David Watts raised concerns about the probe with Andrews' office and requested details about how the audit would run.

However, secretary of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Chris Eccles, said the information would not be provided due to "Cabinet confidentiality."

Matthew Guy, Victoria's Opposition Leader, said the plan to audit phones was of concern.

"It's no wonder Victoria isn't heading in the right direction if this is the Premier's priority," Guy told News Limited on Friday.

"With Victorians worried about jobs, congestion and a law and order crisis, it beggars belief that Daniel Andrews ignores these issues and instead focuses on going through his own ministers' text messages."

Members of Parliament (MPs) told News Limited that the plan was a "witch hunt" shortly after Andrews announced it.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Rebecca Thistleton said "in line with normal practice, we don't comment on Cabinet or security matters."

Watts is now appealing to ministers and bureaucrats involved in the Cabinet process to come forward and provide information on the probe.

The privacy watchdog has also served notices to the chairman and CEO of KPMG, seeking "details of communications regarding the audit, including engagement terms and the scope of the audit."

Editor: Hou Qiang
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Aussie state government refuses to cooperate with watchdog inquest into phone monitoring

Source: Xinhua 2017-01-13 13:34:49
[Editor: huaxia]

SYDNEY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Victorian State government in Australia has refused to cooperate with a privacy watchdog probe into an audit of ministers' phones being undertaken by the government.

Ministers of Premier Daniel Andrews' cabinet were told in December that they would have to hand their phones over to consultancy firm KPMG who would try to find the source of a Cabinet leak about police resources.

In mid-December, Victorian Privacy Commissioner David Watts raised concerns about the probe with Andrews' office and requested details about how the audit would run.

However, secretary of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Chris Eccles, said the information would not be provided due to "Cabinet confidentiality."

Matthew Guy, Victoria's Opposition Leader, said the plan to audit phones was of concern.

"It's no wonder Victoria isn't heading in the right direction if this is the Premier's priority," Guy told News Limited on Friday.

"With Victorians worried about jobs, congestion and a law and order crisis, it beggars belief that Daniel Andrews ignores these issues and instead focuses on going through his own ministers' text messages."

Members of Parliament (MPs) told News Limited that the plan was a "witch hunt" shortly after Andrews announced it.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Rebecca Thistleton said "in line with normal practice, we don't comment on Cabinet or security matters."

Watts is now appealing to ministers and bureaucrats involved in the Cabinet process to come forward and provide information on the probe.

The privacy watchdog has also served notices to the chairman and CEO of KPMG, seeking "details of communications regarding the audit, including engagement terms and the scope of the audit."

[Editor: huaxia]
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