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Shocking leak of private information sees politician blow-up in parliament and quit role

A senior MP has sensationally quit a powerful role and slammed his colleagues after private information was leaked to the media.

Christian Porter under pressure over anonymous donation

A Liberal MP has blasted his colleagues and quit a powerful role following the extraordinary leak of private information.

Russell Broadbent was furious when he stood up to address federal parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Broadbent announced he would resign as head of the privileges committee, which has investigated Christian Porter’s controversial legal “blind trust”.

Mr Broadbent expressed outrage as he revealed an unnamed MP leaked private information about the committee’s proceedings to a journalist at Guardian Australia.

“It is clear that this article is a result of the unauthorised disclosure of information contained in the report and the committee‘s private deliberations,” Mr Broadbent said.

“The privileges committee has been surely offended.

“This is an important committee of the house where someone has decided to use the committee as a dirty rag and throw it in the bin.”

Liberal MP Russell Broadbent expressed outrage as he revealed that an unnamed politician had leaked private information about the proceedings of the privileges committee. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Liberal MP Russell Broadbent expressed outrage as he revealed that an unnamed politician had leaked private information about the proceedings of the privileges committee. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The Guardian revealed the committee had determined Mr Porter did not break parliamentary rules by having anonymous donors pay his legals fees for defamation action against the ABC.

The committee’s report was set to be tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Broadbent said he believed the leak from the unnamed MP may amount to a “contempt of the house” before declaring he would be stepping down as chair of the committee.

The Guardian Australia article revealed the privileges committee had determined that Christian Porter did not break parliamentary rules by having anonymous donors pay for his legals fees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip
The Guardian Australia article revealed the privileges committee had determined that Christian Porter did not break parliamentary rules by having anonymous donors pay for his legals fees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

“The walls of the integrity, intention and spirit of the committee has been breached,” Mr Broadbent said.

“And I take full responsibility for that breach.

“I intend on the first meeting in the next sitting, I will tendered my resignation as chair.”

Mr Broadbent said he would also be launching an investigation into the incident to try and unmask the MP who leaked the information.

“I intend for the committee to investigate this apparent breach in the first instance, and report back to the house.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/shocking-leak-of-private-information-sees-politician-blowup-in-parliament-and-quit-role/news-story/539784b2ed1bb0c01a9ec3023d01f0d1