SSC doesn't find leakers but one may be in the National Library

Probes into leaks of government information on mining proposals and merging public agencies have failed to find who was responsible, the State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie says.

But his report says one leak may have come from someone in the National Library.

Mr Rennie launched inquiries in March into the unauthorised release of government information relating to its stocktake of Crown minerals, and leaks relating to a cabinet paper on proposed state service restructures.

Forest and Bird publicised details that month about how the government wanted to allow mining on the West Coast's Paparoa National Park, Great Barrier Island and on the Coromandel Peninsula.

The previous week unofficial information emerged about the government's supposed plans to merge some public agencies.

Today Mr Rennie said the inquiries were completed but there was not enough evidence to identify those responsible for the leaks.

When State Services Minister Tony Ryall called for the investigation Labour's state services spokesman Grant Robertson said it was a "witch-hunt" and said government ministers frequently leaked information when it suited them.

However, Mr Rennie said there was a lot at stake.

"The unauthorised disclosure of government information strikes at the heart of the crucial relationship of trust that needs to exist between ministers and their officials, for the business of government to work as it should," he said.

"Ministers have a right to make decisions in a calm and deliberative manner and through processes which are not destabilised by premature and unauthorised disclosure. These inquiries reflect the seriousness with which ministers and I view such matters."

Both inquiries found deliberate unauthorised disclosures; one of which was likely to have come from within the public service.

Regarding the mining he said: "The evidence does not indicate that disclosures were more likely to have come from the Public Service than other parties who had access to the information disclosed."

And for the second leak no one was identified.

"However, at least one aspect of what was being proposed was probably disclosed by a public servant. The report found that the evidence led to the conclusion that one of the sources for the journalists was either someone in the National Library, or someone being told something by someone in the National Library, who then passed this information on.

"This is a disappointing finding as it indicates a lapse from the high standard of professionalism held by the majority of public servants."

Mr Rennie said chief executives had told public servants more than they should have about the merger proposals.

Recommendations for change included:

* clearer Cabinet Office guidance on the definition and application of security classifications;

* clear communication about the need for confidentiality;

* for all government agencies to have explicit policy and guidance on the handling of government information, including Cabinet papers;

* training for staff on the handling of Cabinet documents or other sensitive government papers;

In addition he said the Cabinet Office has started a project on information technology support for the cabinet system which will consider document access, control, and monitoring.