I thought we had nailed The Australian, Jon. I'll be issuing a full apology of course

Will Simon Overland say sorry on Jon Faine's program this morning? Probably not . . .

Will Simon Overland say sorry on Jon Faine's program this morning? Probably not . . .

Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland, August 4, 2009:

THE AFP negotiated with The Australian newspaper as I am advised, in terms of the story running today. I am concerned that despite those negotiations, copies of that paper were available here on the streets of Melbourne at 1:30am this morning, well before the warrants were executed. This in my view represents an unacceptable risk to the operation, an unacceptable risk to my staff.

Jon Faine, interviewing Simon Overland on ABC 774, August 6:

HOW is the inquiry being conducted? To my knowledge, and I am sure we would have heard about it if it had happened, there hasn't been any warrants served on The Australian newspaper in their offices just across the river here. The first thing surely you would do is you would raid the offices of the newspaper and call in the journalist.

John Silvester, Deborah Snow, Dylan Welsh, The Age, August 6:

A FORMER senior intelligence source told The Age that the way the deal had played out "should certainly raise serious questions at the highest levels of government about the professionalism and competency of those AFP persons involved in those briefings". A finding that the AFP bungled its handling of the threatened leak could adversely affect the ambitions of acting commissioner Tony Negus to replace Mick Keelty as AFP commissioner.

The Herald Sun on Saturday:

THE Australian newspaper has been cleared of claims it broke a deal with police on reporting terrorism raids in Melbourne last year. The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity found a deal to publish the story only in the final edition of the paper had been kept, although some copies of this edition were available from about 2am. Integrity commissioner Philip Moss said he was satisfied there was "no ill intent" with the timing of publication and that a misunderstanding had meant the AFP was unaware that distribution could occur earlier than had been discussed in the planning stages of the deal.

Relevance deprivation syndrome. Simon Overland, August 4, 2009:

I DON'T think the reporting in The Australian this morning did justice to the full nature of this investigation. It has very much been a joint investigation. We have worked very effectively with federal police and other law enforcement agencies across Australia. Obviously, I am particularly proud of the efforts of my staff.

The Australian's Chip Le Grand gets the cold shoulder at a June 9 press conference:

LE GRAND: How is the fact you were going to a management course . . .

Simon Overland: Next question?

Le Grand: How is it relevant that you were going to a management course in France, how is that relevant to Operation Briars?

Overland: Does anyone else want to ask a question?

Le Grand: If you have acted appropriately, why won't you welcome an independent inquiry as opposed to an [Office of Police Integrity] inquiry?

Overland: Next question, thanks.

Le Grand: That is a reasonable question, why wouldn't you welcome an independent inquiry to clear all this up?

Overland: Anyone else got any other questions?

Reporter: Is your response to this story to refuse to answer questions from The Australian?

Overland: Look, I am here answering your questions.

Le Grand: But you haven't answered whether you would welcome an independent inquiry.

Overland: I am answering everyone else.

Le Grand: Does anyone else want to ask that question?

Reporter: It does seem a legitimate question, Chief Commissioner. Why wouldn't you welcome an independent inquiry?

Overland: Because it has been looked at. The Office of Police Integrity says I haven't done anything wrong. That is the end of the matter. Any other questions?

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