PM Transcripts

-j AU6 RALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 5 October 1983
The Leader of the Opposition was briefed this afternoon on the
reasons for, and the timing of, Australian Federal Police
decisions to connect, disconnect, reconnect and disconnect
certain authorised telephone intercepts.
He was briefed in my office by the Commissioner of the Australian
Federal Police, Mr R. A. Grey, as to the facts.
Mr Peacock was told that all decisions to discontinue telephone
intercepts were made by Commuissioner Grey personally and that
no political or other pressure was brought to bear upon him in
respect of such decisions.
Some intercepts were later reinstated at the request of
Mr Justice Stewart.
The Government would, in normal circumstances, be most
reluctant to disclose any details of police operations.
However, I was gravely concerned at the imputations by the
Leader of the Opposition that the AFP had been influenced by
political pressure in the conduct of a drug offences
investigation. No more serious charge could be made against the integrity of any
police force.
Because of the damage these allegations could do to the standing
and morale of the AFP if left unchallenged it was decided that
Mr Peacock should be made aware of the facts and the complete lack
of foundation for the imputations he has made.
In these circumstances, and with the knowledge that he now
possesses, Mr Peacock should immediately withdraw any imputations
against the integrity of Commissioner Grey and the AEP.