Exclusive: Nationals MP George Christensen vetoes release of AFP travel inquiry documents auspol
Nationals MP George Christensen has blocked the release of information about a federal police probe into his frequent travels to the Philippines over a four-year period.
Federal police looked into his travel for more than a year including visits to areas known for their active nightlife and bar districts.have been trying, under Freedom of Information laws, to access police records and a letter sent by the AFP to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in mid-2018. Former AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin confirmed in April he had briefed senior Coalition government figures on George Christensen's travel.The Office of the Information Commissioner is reviewing the AFP decision, but has said it could take another seven months to decide if that letter should be in the public domain, even though Parliament has been advised of its existence by the AFP.
The then Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton were all briefed on the police probe.Mr Christensen was also advised by the AFP in mid-2018 his travel could put him at risk of blackmail.In April, Mr Colvin told an estimates hearing inquiries had found "no evidence of wrongdoing" and "no evidence of criminal behaviour".
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