Defence force launches probe into Wikileaks Afghanistan leak

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says an internal defence force taskforce will investigate how tens of thousands of military documents were leaked to internet site Wikileaks.

A total of 91,000 documents on the involvement of Allied troop in the war in Afghanistan were leaked to the site, and Gillard says the taskforce will investigate whether any of Australia’s operations in the strife-torn nation have been compromised.

“This is an issue which does touch upon this country because clearly matters associated with Australian personnel are touched upon in these documents,” she told reporters

“That is why the department is responding in the way in which it is.”

While Australia is mentioned in some of the documents, the main focus is the role of US forces in Afghanistan, instances of civilian casualties and the role of neighbouring Pakistan in the conflict.

The US is also investigation the leaks, with the White House saying that the leaker of the document has high level security clearance.