Leaks and cracks; ministerial staffer suspended
The State Government has suspended a senior ministerial staffer while it investigates the leaking Premier Jay Weatherill’s policy strategy.
“A ministerial advisor has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation,” the Premier’s spokesman told InDaily late Thursday.
“We have no further comment to make at this time.”
The Advertiser yesterday published leaked internal documents produced by the Premier’s office which outline a timetable of policy announcements and ground rules for ministerial offices to produce these policies.
The material itself wasn’t seen by Labor as particularly damaging, however the fact of the leak sent shockwaves through the party which is the underdog in the March 2014 state election.
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Within hours of The Advertiser publishing the material, the Government had identified their key suspect in the leak.
InDaily understands that the investigation started this morning.
InDaily also understands that fewer than 20 people received the documents from Weatherill’s chief-of-staff Simon Blewett, most of them senior ministerial staff.
Political staffers – chiefs of staff, policy and media advisers – are contracted directly to the Premier and are required to sign confidentiality agreements.
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Labor figures are baffled about the motivation of the alleged leaker, and the staffer’s identity – if revealed – will shock many in the party.
The incident will fuel public perceptions that the Government is increasingly shaky. It has already rattled ministerial solidarity and confidence.
Three Ministers were targeted by the Opposition in parliament’s question time – each asked if they had checked with their own staff.
The answers by senior Ministers John Rau, Jack Snelling and Tom Koutsantonis ranged from outright to denial to non-concern.
Labor figures, meanwhile, are despairing at the ongoing Education Department scandals which are preventing Weatherill gaining any traction with his methodical series of policy announcements.
However, talk of leadership change is being scoffed at within Labor.
Key players believe that switching leaders now would likely lead to electoral disaster.
This adds another layer of mystery to the inside leak – its only result has been to damage Labor further.
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