Jessica Wright January 30, 2012 - 1:46PM
" I will only support motions of no confidence in the event of serious misconduct and not support politically opportunistic motions" ... Independent MP Andrew Wilkie. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The independent MP Andrew Wilkie has said he will most likely support debate over a motion of no-confidence in the Gillard government following the "appalling events" of Australia Day.
Mr Wilkie says it is almost inconceivable that the Prime Minister's former media adviser Tony Hodges acted independently when he informed a Labor unionist of the whereabouts of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott before the Australia Day tent embassy protest.
"The events on Australia Day were appalling," Mr Wilkie said. "With so many claims and counter-claims swirling around, there remain many unanswered questions. If the opposition was to move a no-confidence motion over this, I would probably support a suspension of standing orders to debate the matter, subject of course to the exact wording of the motion."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is dragged to safety amid protests on Australia Day. The Opposition has called for inquiry into the leak that caused the security scare. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Wilkie stood by his threat as the Australian Federal Police confirmed today there was no evidence to support an investigation into a breach of Mr Abbott's security.
The federal police said in a statement that "no evidence of a criminal act was identified" but added there was an ongoing investigation, which began on Friday, into the actions of the protesters outside the Canberra restaurant.
But the Coalition has given the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, until this afternoon to request an official federal police investigation.
Former Gillard press adviser Tony Hodges with Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Photo: Andrew Meares
If Ms Gillard - as expected - fails to accede to the opposition's demands, opposition attorney-general George Brandis will pen his own request, asking the federal police to investigate the breach of security under section 47 of the ACT criminal code, which relates to incitement.
The manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives, Christopher Pyne, said the Australia Day protest was the worst political security breach in 30 years.
"The whole thing has become so murky the only way to get to the bottom of exactly what happened and why and who was responsible is for the Australian Federal Police to investigate it," Mr Pyne said.
Despite backing debate to suspend standing orders, Mr Wilkie tempered his comments by saying it was unlikely he would move to bring down the government.
"In regard to motions of no-confidence, I continue to believe that, as a general rule it's in the public interest for parliaments to be stable and go full term," Mr Wilkie said.
"Consequently, I will only support motions of no-confidence in the event of serious misconduct and not support politically opportunistic motions."
Ms Gillard accepted the resignation of Mr Hodges on Friday after he admitted he phoned Unions ACT secretary Kim Sattler - who was at the tent embassy to mark its 40th anniversary - and informed her of Mr Abbott's location just 200 metres away at The Lobby restaurant.
That information triggered a security scare when up to 200 protesters from the nearby tent embassy surrounded the restaurant, banging on the glass and chanting "shame" at Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott, who were trapped inside for more than 20 minutes.
Ms Gillard said her senior press secretary Sean Kelly and communications director John McTeirnan failed to inform her about Mr Hodges's actions until Friday afternoon, despite his admission to his superiors on Thursday evening.
