This inquiry came about as a result of allegations in the Australian media relating to DSD cooperation with an investigation into leaks of intelligence material in 1999-2000. It had been alleged that 'the nation's most powerful spy agency, the Defence Signals Directorate, eavesdropped on Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Laurie Brereton, as part of an investigation into material leaked on the East Timor militia rampages in 1999'.