Will Goff be prosecuted?

Stuff reports:

The country’s spy watchdog has issued a “please explain” to Labour MP Phil Goff over why aspects of her report into SIS information were given to reporters.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn said she was aware of Goff’s statements that he had disclosed some information concerning findings in her report into the release of information by the SIS.  

She would be seeking further information from Goff and others, she said in a statement.

“That disclosure was contrary to the non-disclosure obligations under which affected parties received some limited prior notice of the report and was also unfair to others,” she said.

“The broadcast or publication of that information may also have contravened the IGIS Act and, in any case, these events raise questions for the handling of future reports.  Any issue of prosecution will, however, be for the Police.”

Under the IGIS Act, convictions for a breach could trigger a fine of up to $50,000 against a company or corporation, or a $10,000 fine and a year in jail, or both, for an individual.

Goff won’t be prosecuted for leaking the report, but he has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. He pissed away his own moral high ground.