Outgoing AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin breaks silence, says raids on media ‘lawful’

Raids on media organisations were lawful and not designed to intimidate journalists, outgoing Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin says.

Raids on media organisations were lawful and not designed to intimidate or stymie press freedoms, outgoing Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin has declared.

Colvin finally broke his silence to face up to criticism stemming from his officers’ raids on the ABC and News Corp Australia, that have been widely condemned, including internationally as an attack on press freedoms.

At least three journalists face potential charges for pursuing stories that have been seen as not threats to national security but had embarrassed the Federal Government.

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Outgoing AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin says recent raids on media organisations, including News Corp Australia, were lawful. Picture: Gary Ramage

But Colvin dismissed concerns and said it had not influenced his decision announced on Monday to not renew his contract in the force.

“I don’t believe that this was intimidation,” he told the 7.30 Report last night. “I don’t believe that’s what we were attempting to do.”

Mr Colvin said he agreed in a free press but it was his officers’ job to enforce the law as set by parliament.

The AFP commissioner on Monday announced he would not renew his contract, ending his 30-year career as a police officer as “the right decision” for his family and the police service.

Colvin told the 7.30 Report said despite the raids based on stories some two years old, the search warrants coming straight after an election had no bearing on his decision to quit.

“I’m comfortable with the AFP enforcing the law as it’s prescribed by the parliament,” he told the ABC in a prerecorded interviewing.

"I don't believe that this was intimidation. I don't believe that's what we were attempting to do." – AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin on the raids on the ABC and a News Corp journalist #abc730

— abc730 (@abc730) July 16, 2019

"Of course I absolutely support press freedom as part of democracy, as a commissioner and a general citizen. I support the rule of law." – AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin #abc730

— abc730 (@abc730) July 16, 2019

“I don’t think it’s for a police officer to say which laws are good or bad. I’m very conscious of what’s been said in the media — how could I not be conscious of that?”

He said the public should “draw comfort” from the warrants, it was a rare occurrence and he described the media reports as “unauthorised disclosures” warranting investigation and said the government was not consulted prior.

Colvin has been at pains over the need for more resources but did not believe pursuing the media was a waste of the resources that he had.

Reflecting on his time as commissioner, he said the greatest threat to national security remained the threat of terrorism and also remained an AFP priority. But he also said serious organised crime and transnational crime would also be a critical priority for his successor.

Colvin had actively sought a lower public profile during his time as commissioner, declining media interviews and consequently some of his messaging around critical issues important to the rank and file including suicide in the ranks was missed by some. He said last night losing one officer was one too many.

Some within the senior echelons of the AFP have also privately expressed frustration by the political directions and influence from the Home Affairs Department and its controlling minister Peter Dutton.

Mr Colvin said his decision to leave felt right for him.

“I think now is the right time for me and my family,” he said, adding “we need new eyes” over the AFP.

Originally published as Outgoing AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin breaks silence, says raids on media ‘lawful’