Angus Taylor staffer Josh Manuatu named as document leaker

Josh Manuatu distributed false information on the City of Sydney that triggered a police investigation.

Former Young Liberals President Josh Manuatu. Picture: Sean Davey

Angus Taylor’s staffer, Josh Manuatu, has been identified as the person who obtained the false information about the City of Sydney’s travel claims that triggered a police investigation.

The Australian has been told Mr Manuatu, a former president of the Young Liberals, was ­involved in gathering the information that was then handed to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Mr Manuatu will remain in Mr Taylor’s office. A former chief of staff to Eric Abetz and spinner for ex-Hume MP Alby Schultz, he was drafted into Mr Taylor’s office to help the minister after the election. He is also the finance chair of the Canberra Liberals and a ­national councillor at the Australian Monarchist League. Mr Manuatu did not respond to a request for comment. Mr Taylor’s office referred The Australian to the minister’s previous statement: “I reject absolutely the suggestion that I, or any members of my staff, altered the document in question.”

Energy Minister Angus Taylor during Question Time. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Taylor claims the information was obtained from the City of Sydney website. NSW police said last month they were investigating whether Mr Taylor’s office doctored a City of Sydney annual ­report. Mr Taylor used the wrong figures to claim City of Sydney councillors spent nearly $16m on travel last year. The actual figure was less than $6000.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has said she intends to make a statement to police about the doctored-documents affair.

It is understood Mr Taylor’s ­office has been contacted by police with a view towards the minister or his staff being interviewed. A spokesman for Mr Taylor referred The Australian to the minister’s comments in question time when he said: “I will always co-operate on matters of this sort. My office has established an administrative point of contact with the NSW police, and I don’t propose to say more while police inquiries are continuing.”

Anthony Albanese has urged Mr Taylor to produce the documents at the centre of the affair.

Scott Morrison is standing by his minister but has come under fire for making a phone call about the issue to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller. Mr Fuller has defended the phone call and promised an “open and transparent” investigation.

Additional reporting: Andrew Clennell