Jeff Collins declines to discuss private messaging apps’ use when he was in Labor Caucus

FORMER Labor-turned-Territory Alliance MLA Jeff Collins has refused to say if he had been instructed to use private messaging apps to communicate with other Labor members while he was in Caucus

Former Labor-turned-Territory Alliance MLA Jeff Collins has refused to say if he had been instructed to use private messaging apps to communicate with other Labor members while he was in Caucus. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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FORMER Labor turned Territory Alliance MLA Jeff Collins has refused to say if he had been instructed to use private messaging apps to communicate with other Labor members while he was part of Caucus, claiming “there would likely be further investigations” into the issue.

Independent Commissioner against Corruption Ken Fleming QC, in his report into former Speaker Kezia Purick’s conduct, said he had identified MLAs and their staff had a pratice of communicating “sensitive work information using private online messaging services”.

Territory Alliance members Terry Mills, Robyn Lambley and Jeff Collins are holding a press conference to respond to news that Speaker Kezia Purick has been asked to stand down amid ICAC probe.

Posted by The NT News on Sunday, 21 June 2020

“This represents a significant information security risk to the NT Government,” he said.

“Even information that appears to be benign in isolation could, along with other information, have a considerable security impact.”

Mr Collins, the Member for Fong Lim MLA — who was excluded from Labor Caucus and eventually left the party — on Tuesday refused to say if he had been told to use those apps to communicate.

“I won’t answer that at this point in time, I think it’s, it’s an issue that’s going to come up, given the report,” he said.

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“And there really is likely to be further investigations that I really shouldn’t make comment on that at this point in time.”

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