A top-secret spy mission, a decades-old scandal – and the Austin Powers-esque saga to lift the lid
Summary
Australia’s Administrative Review Tribunal ruled that unclassified parts of a late-November hearing about records linked to alleged Australian spying on Timor-Leste must be open to the public. Rex Patrick is seeking 2004 cabinet documents, while the government and its intelligence agency will neither confirm nor deny whether the spying occurred or whether related records exist.Key Facts
- The alleged bugging took place in 2004, before negotiations over control of oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea.
- The negotiations covered the Greater Sunrise gasfields, whose resources are estimated to be worth more than $50 billion.
- Patrick requested 2004 cabinet documents held by the National Archives of Australia.
- The government and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service say confirming or denying whether records exist could harm national security and Australia’s relations with other countries.
- The Commonwealth argued that even unclassified parts of the hearing should be closed to prevent officials from accidentally revealing sensitive information.
- The tribunal ruled that unclassified sections of the three-day hearing in late November must take place in public.
- Parts of the hearing will remain closed so participants can discuss top-secret information.
- An Australian intelligence official and a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade deputy secretary are expected to testify at the hearing.
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