The AFP has confirmed it is now liaising with the CDPP as part of its investigation into the media being tipped off about the Oct. 24 raids.



The AFP is aiming to give material to the CDPP in the next two weeks. The CDPP will then determine if charges will be laid.



"The AFP has commenced an investigation into the alleged unauthorised disclosure of information concerning recent search warrants executed in support of a Registered Organisations Commission investigation," a spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.

In May, BuzzFeed News published internal AFP documents that reveal police were investigating the offence of "unauthorised disclosure of government information", which carries a maximum two-year jail term.



Under Australian law, "A person who publishes or communicates, without lawful authority or excuse, any fact or document which came to his or her knowledge, or into his or her possession, by virtue of being/or having been a Commonwealth Officer, and which is not his or her duty to disclose, commits an offence."

"It is troubling, but not surprising, that the Australian Federal Police has decided to refer their investigation to the Commonwealth prosecutor," AWU national secretary Daniel Walton told BuzzFeed News.

"Clearly the AFP have learned enough here to believe it warrants the attention of the prosecutor."

Labor senator Doug Cameron said he welcomes the AFP's thorough investigation.

"If the outcome is that Michaelia Cash’s office has broken the law in order to gain political advantage, then the minister has to accept complete responsibility and resign. If she does not accept responsibility and resign, then Malcolm Turnbull must sack her," he told BuzzFeed News.

"Michaelia Cash has never divulged the full circumstances surrounding this disgraceful episode, including what other ministers were involved."

Labor's workplace spokesperson Brendan O'Connor has called for Cash to answer questions over her involvement.

“What role did Cash play in the leak?" he asked. "Is she a witness or is she under investigation? Cash must finally come clean.”

Cash's office refused to answer BuzzFeed News' questions.

BuzzFeed News revealed last year that Cash's former senior media adviser David De Garis had tipped off several media organisations about the raids. In February a journalist claimed they received a phone call from then-justice minister Michael Keenan's office informing them of the raids before they took place.