Lehrmann blocked from accessing diary pages with Cabinet secrets
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 04:02 · Archive
A Federal Court judge ruled that ex-staffer Bruce Lehrmann cannot access parts of his personal diary containing sensitive Cabinet information.
A Federal Court judge has ruled that ex-political staffer Bruce Lehrmann cannot access two pages of his personal diary on grounds of Cabinet confidentiality. Justice Brigitte Markovic upheld a public interest immunity claim by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, finding that disclosing the pages would harm the public interest.
The diary, a blue moleskin notebook, was seized from Lehrmann's Hobart home during an AFP raid on 5 June 2024. Branko Ananijevski, Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet Governance and National Security Branch, gave evidence that the diary entries contained information relating to confidential considerations of a Cabinet committee and a Cabinet decision on costings. The court heard that Cabinet confidentiality was essential to the process of decision-making and policy development.
Lehrmann had sought to have the entire diary returned to him. He is suing Special Minister of State Don Farrell and National Anti-Corruption Commission boss Paul Brereton, claiming the raid was an abuse of power and that he was denied funding for legal representation to fight allegations of corruption.
How it is being reported
- Lehrmann recorded Cabinet secrets in personal diary, Federal Court rulesBruce Lehrmann has been blocked from accessing parts of his own diary after a Federal Court judge found its contents could breach Cabinet confidentiality if disclosed.The West Australian · 2 Nov, 03:48
- Lehrmann recorded Cabinet secrets in personal diary, Federal Court rulesBruce Lehrmann has been blocked from accessing parts of his own diary after a Federal Court judge found its contents could breach Cabinet confidentiality if disclosed.Perth Now · 2 Nov, 03:47
In this story: Bruce Lehrmann · Brigitte Markovic · Don Farrell · Paul Brereton · National Anti-Corruption Commission · Australian Federal Police · Hobart
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