University of Techology Sydney student Freya Newman charged over leaking scholarship on Prime Minister’s daughter Frances Abbott

A STUDENT is charged with hacking into a school’s computer and leaking a $60,000 scholarship awarded to the Prime Minister’s daughter Frances Abbott.

A SYDNEY student will face court accused of hacking into a Sydney fashion school’s computer records and leaking a student file on the prime minister’s daughter.

The 20-year-old University of Technology Sydney student Freya Newman was charged tonight with unauthorised access to restricted data held in a computer, NSW Police confirmed.

It’s understood the young woman worked as a night librarian at the Whitehouse Institute of Design, which claimed in media reports that its computers had been hacked after news site New Matilda published revelations of a secret $60,000 scholarship awarded to Frances Abbott.

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The Abbotts cast their vote ... Tony Abbott and wife Margi with daughters Louise, Bridget and Frances. Picture: Gary Ramage

NSW police acted on a complaint by the Whitehouse Institute’s and Newman was charged under section 308H of the NSW Crimes Act, an offence carrying a maximum of two years in jail.

During the police investigation, the Whitehouse Institute handed over CCTV footage and email evidence that allegedly identified Newman, who was working as a part-time night ­librarian for the institute in May when computer files were ­accessed, The Australian reported.

It has been alleged Ms Newman gained unauthorised access to the files of Ms Abbott and more than 500 other students.

It’s believed Newman left her job the day after New Matilda published its story.

The writing student has been offered legal assistance by her university’s student union.

She is scheduled to face Downing Centre Local Court on September 18.

$60,000 scholarship detail leaked to media ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s daughter Frances Abbott. Picture: Gary Ramage

New Matilda editor Chris Graham told AAP that the media has a responsibility to protect and assist sources.

“It’s concerning that any person who is accused of leaking information in the public interest would be pursued by the government of the day,” he said.

The Whitehouse Institute could not be reached for comment.