Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo has agreed to stand aside as an investigation into leaked text messages with a Liberal Party powerbroker begins.
A joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed years of text messages between Pezzullo and Scott Briggs, who is an influential figure in the Liberal Party.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed at a press conference that Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil asked Pezzullo to stand aside while an independent investigation takes place.
"He has agreed to stand aside," Albanese said.
"That action is appropriate.
"We will await the findings of the investigation that we will expedite."
Albanese said there will be a cabinet meeting this afternoon which will discuss the investigation but will not be commenting publicly further on the incident.
"I believe O'Neil has acted appropriately given the circumstances of what was revealed in Nine newspapers this morning," he said.
O'Neil said she referred the matter to the Public Service Commissioner for his consideration and advice.
"I spoke to the secretary of my department and asked him to stand aside while the inquiry occurs," O'Neil said.
"I believe that is appropriate and in the public interest and I will have more to say on this matter when the inquiry is included."
The encrypted text messages obtained by Nine Newspapers and 60 Minutes revealed years of communication between Pezzullo - whose role is to be independent and apolitical - and influential Liberal Party powerbroker Scott Briggs.
Many of the text messages between Pezzullo and Briggs discuss ministerial appointments under the former Liberal government.
