Freya Newman to join Greens team

THE student who leaked details of Frances Abbott’s scholarship is making a bold move into federal politics.

THE student who leaked details of Frances Abbott’s scholarship has been selected for a position with The Greens.

Freya Newman, 21, was successful in securing a paid internship in the office of Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon after the part-time position was advertised in November 2014.

“Following an extensive application process involving over 160 applicants and two rounds of interviews we offered the position to Freya,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Freya was an outstanding applicant and we are very much looking forward to having her on board.”

Ms Newman, who is subject to a two-year good behaviour bond for leaking the scholarship details of Tony Abbott’s daughter, will start her new role in April.

“I’m really excited to be working with Senator Rhiannon and the rest of her staff this year on issues like higher education, aid and animal welfare,” Ms Newman said in a statement.

PM Tony Abbott with his daughter Frances.

The internship is a two day per week position running for three months, and is based in Sydney.

A spokeswoman for Ms Rhiannon said as an intern, Ms Newman would be expected to take on staff duties such as policy development, working across campaigns, preparing media briefs and checking emails.

Last year the former student pleaded guilty to leaking restricted data that revealed Frances Abbott had been awarded a $60,000 scholarship to study at the exclusive Whitehouse Institute of Design.