Speaker wants to 'get to the bottom' of Simon Bridges' expenses leak, as he outlines inquiry by QC

August 15, 2018

Parliament's Speaker Trevor Mallard today outlined the inquiry into the leaking of National Party leader Simon Bridges' expenses.

"We have both agreed that there is an issue with regard to the security of information and it has the potential to be quite serious," Mr Mallard told media today.

"In my opinion, someone has deliberately undermined either an individual or the system and I want us... to get to the bottom of it."

Speaker Trevor Mallard announced the investigation today, after Mr Bridges demanded to know who leaked his travel expenses.

Mr Bridges' MP expenses were released earlier than scheduled this week, with $113,973 spent on travel and accommodation between April and June.

"If there is a gap in the Parliamentary Service, I want it to be fixed, and if there is not, I think it is appropriate for the person who leaked the document to be identified," Mr Mallard said.

He said he would approach a Queen's Counsel to take the inquiry into the leak, and also a person with expertise in IT forensics "in order to trace the path of this document".

Mr Mallard said he or his office did not receive the document in electronic form.

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