Shock claims over NSW Treasurer Matt Kean’s leaked texts

Channel 10 political editor Peter van Onselen has claimed Scott Morrison’s colleagues obtained evidence a journalist was texting with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean.

Channel 10 political editor Peter van Onselen has sensationally accused former prime minister Scott Morrison’s colleagues of obtaining and circulating a photograph of a journalist’s phone without her consent to prove she was texting with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean.

In the wake of tit-for-tat claims that Mr Kean was disloyal and briefed journalists during the campaign about Liberal candidate Katherine Deves, photographic evidence has emerged of a conversation between a Channel 10 journalist and Mr Kean.

News.com.au can reveal that Mr Kean has told colleagues that the first he knew of the claims was when he was called during the campaign by a longtime-friend of Mr Morrison who warned the NSW Treasurer: “we have photographs” and said they had caught him leaking and could expect media coverage.

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Dr Peter van Onselen has accused former prime minister Scott Morrison’s colleagues of obtaining and circulating a photograph of a journalist’s phone without her consent. Picture: 10 News

While the logical explanation for the photograph – which was first revealed by Sky News host Sharri Markson – is that one of the parties to the conversation screenshot the messages and shared the image with a third party, Ten now claims that the real story is much darker.

What is not in dispute is that the Mr Kean – who openly called for Ms Deves to be disendorsed over her views on trans teenagers – was texting the journalist during the election campaign. In the exchange he urged the journalist to “pap” (photograph) another Liberal.

Van Onselen told news.com.au that the reporter Stela Todorovic may have been surveilled by a Liberal on the campaign bus or at a press conference while she was texting Mr Kean.

“From what I’m led to believe one of Scott Morrison’s goons took a photograph of Stela’s phone while she was texting, without her consent. How is that not the bigger story here?’’ he told news.com.au.

“And having breached her privacy so egregiously once they breached it again by passing it onto a journalist. No wonder their government collapsed because of women deserting them in droves.”

A screenshot of the text exchange was mocked up by Sky News.

News.com.au is not suggesting it was leaked by Mr Kean, as the mock text implies because his correspondence is in blue.

The journalist was texting with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean. Picture: Jeremy Piper/NCA NewsWire

Mr Kean briefed journalists during the campaign about Liberal candidate Katherine Deves. Picture: Katherine Deves/Facebook

Mr Morrison’s press office has not replied to repeated requests for comment on the matter. There is no suggestion the former prime minister was aware of the photo.

In separate communications, Mr Morrison’s press secretary Andrew Carswell also called Mr Kean’s strategy director Sean Berry during the campaign to complain Mr Kean was briefing journalists. Mr Morrison’s top political adviser Yaron Finkelstein called Mr Kean directly to complain about the same.

During that conversation Mr Kean said he was not disloyal and had actually raised $100,000 to help the Liberal campaign.

Mr Berry and Mr Carswell declined to comment on the discussion.

There is no suggestion either Mr Morrison, Mr Carswell or Mr Finkelstein knew of the photo’s existence or was involved in its distribution.

Mr Finkelstein told news.com.au that it was a matter of public record that he called Mr Kean during the campaign to express concern over reports he was involved in background briefings of journalists but he didn’t know about the photo.

Van Onselen said Channel 10 reporter Stela Todorovic may have been surveilled by a Liberal on the campaign bus or at a press conference while she was texting Mr Kean. Picture: Twitter/Stela Todorovic

A screenshot of the text exchange was mocked up by Sky News. News.com.au is not suggesting it was leaked by Mr Kean, as the text implies because his correspondence is in blue. Picture: Supplied

Other Liberal staffers however claim to have seen the screenshot. On Sunday night, Sky News broadcast an image outlining the text conversation that looked like a screenshot, however it was a ‘mock up’ of the exchange rather than the real thing.

This week, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet warned NSW Transport Minister David Elliot and Treasurer Matt Kean this week to stop feuding or they would lose their jobs.

“My expectation is ministers are focused every single day on the great people of NSW,” Mr Perrottet told reporters in Lismore on Monday.

“There’ll always be words from time to time but ultimately our focus, my expectation, of ministers here in New South Wales, is that we continue to deliver for the people in our state.

“This is a distraction from what is our focus, and every single day I’m focused on making sure the people of New South Wales are set up for a brighter future.”

Earlier, Mr Elliott slammed Mr Kean over the revelations he was allegedly trying to undermine the Coalition less than two weeks before the federal election.

“Matt Kean’s behaviour is nothing short of treachery and will be repaid in kind. I’m disgusted, “ he told Ben Fordham on 2GB on Monday.

“It’s the sort of thing I have come to expect … from a certain former Liberal PM (Malcolm Turnbull).”