MP travel receipts to be taken from online over spy fears

SA Police are concerned that foreign spies could be trawling through State Minister’s expenses online. But others think it is just an excuse by the government to avoid transparency.

• Chinese security cameras rebadged and used in SA buildings
• What has your MP claimed?
• See this month’s rewards for subscribers

Fears that foreign spies could be trawling through travel receipts of state ministers and staff have prompted an overhaul of public-disclosure rules.

South Australian police have raised security concerns over the publishing of travel receipts and itineraries online – a move established as part of a broader transparency push under the former government.

But the Opposition is not buying the changes, saying the documents were only published after the travel had taken place. They have labelled it a blatant attempt to avoid scrutiny.

In a letter to Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas, Attorney-General Vickie Chapman outlined an overhaul of the policy. It underlines the disclosure of travel details for ministers, staff and chief executives of government departments.

“South Australia police raised concerns regarding potential security threats to government officials as a result of travel itineraries and receipts of ministers and chief executives being published under this policy,” Ms Chapman said.

“SAPOL advises that the publication of this information presents a risk to Australian officials by foreign intelligence services and should be restricted to reduce the risk of compromise and the loss and unlawful disclosure of sensitive classified information.

“To address this risk while balancing the need for transparency, the policy has been amended removing the publication requirement for travel itineraries and receipts, but including advice that these will be made available upon request after details of the travel have been published.”

Ms Chapman and police would not provide The Advertiser with the advice.

Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Patterson said SAPOL had provided the recommended amendment to the policy “in the interests of security risks to Government Officials.”

Deputy Labor leader Susan Close described the new policy as a blatant attempt by the Government to avoid scrutiny of expenditure.

“Arguing you cannot release itineraries or receipts after a trip due to security issues seems strange to say the least,” she said.

“The only security issue here appears to be the job security of the Premier and his Ministers, fearful of the consequences of their lavish expenditure.”