By Max Koslowski and Kylar Loussikian
The Australian Federal Police raided a former top defence adviser's home as it continues the controversial investigation into leaks to the media.
Officers raided the Canberra house, owned by intelligence officer Cameron Gill, at 7am on Wednesday. According to a title search, Mr Gill co-owns the home with his wife, Australia's Ambassador to Iraq Dr Joanne Loundes. There is no suggestion Dr Loundes was a target of the raid.
AFP officers depart after the raid on the home in Canberra.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Gill had been seconded from the department to work in the offices of Turnbull government ministers Dan Tehan and Mal Brough, both of whom occupied defence-related portfolios. On Wednesday evening Nine reported he works at the Australian Signals Directorate.
The AFP refused to confirm if the early morning raid was linked to June raids at News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst's home and the ABC's Ultimo headquarters.
The AFP's raids on Smethurst, the political editor of the Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Herald Sun, were related to reports in those publications suggesting the Australia Signals Directorate wanted powers to spy on Australian citizens.
Separate raids at the ABC's Ultimo building were in connection to the broadcaster's investigation into alleged unlawful killings and misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
In a statement, News Corp Australia executive Campbell Reid said the raids were "not intended to intimidate journalists but the people who have the courage to talk to journalists".
An AFP spokeswoman confirmed a search warrant was executed at a home in Griffith, near Parliament House, and said the activity did not "relate to any current or impending threat".
Six AFP officers left Mr Gill's house at 2.30pm carrying black evidence bags and several hard cases, followed by two more officers 10 minutes later.
Lawyer Kamy Saeedi declined to comment when he left the house soon after the federal police.
AFP officers arrived at the home at 7am, and stayed for more than six hours, leaving with large plastic bags of evidence and several hard cases.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In a hearing conducted as part of Parliament's ongoing press freedom inquiry, Department of Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo said police were "closing in" on the person they suspected leaked documents to Ms Smethurst.
AFP deputy commissioner Neil Gaughan said there was significant concern about where the leaker "potentially sits within the bureaucracy".
When asked about Wednesday's raid, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said:
"Journalism isn't a crime and I support freedom of the press. It's up to the Government to say why all of this has occurred on its watch."
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton referred requests for comment to the AFP.