NSW police investigate Angus Taylor’s office over altered document claim in Sydney City Council spending attack

Scott Morrison has declared he will take no action against Energy Minister Angus Taylor, despite his office being under investigation by NSW Police.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor during Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Scott Morrison has declared he will take no action against Energy Minister Angus Taylor, despite his office being under investigation by NSW Police.

The Prime Minister said he spoke with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and was assured the matter was investigated based on the referral from Labor.

“I have since spoken with the NSW Police Commissioner about the investigation and the nature and substance of their inquiries which he advised me were based only on the allegations referred to by the Shadow Attorney General,” Mr Morrison told parliament.

READ MORE: Labor to turn up heat on Taylor | ‘Forgery’ leaves minister in strife | Taylor apologises to Clover Moore |

“Based on the information provided to me by the Commissioner, I consider there is no action required by me.

“The NSW Police should now be left to lead their inquiries which will be considered upon their completion.”

NSW Police is investigating Mr Taylor’s office over claims it doctored an annual report produced by the City of Sydney.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said a strike force had been formed to find out whether a City of Sydney document was altered by Mr Taylor’s office and given to the media.

“The NSW Police Force is in the early stages of investigating information into the reported creation of fraudulent documentation,” the spokeswoman said.

“Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad have launched Strike Force Garrad to investigate the matters and determine if any criminal offences have been committed.

“As investigations are ongoing, no further information is available.”

Anthony Albanese leapt on the investigation in Question Time to ask Scott Morrison what action he will take against the cabinet minister.

“Why is he still sitting there? When will you stand him aside?” the Opposition Leader said.

The Prime Minister said the investigation was a matter for “authorities in other place”.

“The matters that the Opposition Leader refers to have not been provided to me or been presented to me by the NSW Police. I have not been advised of those developments,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Taylor conceded the numbers used to attack Lord Mayor Clover Moore were incorrect. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Last month, Mr Taylor conceded that he used incorrect numbers to attack Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore over her travel expenses and carbon emissions, but strongly denies his office forged a false document.

The incorrect numbers were written in a letter to the council and given to The Daily Telegraph.

Mr Taylor’s letter said City of Sydney councillors had spent $1.7m on international travel and $14.2m on domestic travel.

However, the council’s 2017-18 annual report, available online, shows Ms Moore’s international out-of-pocket travel costs were only $1727.77 and domestic costs were $4206.32.

Labor referred the matter to police.