Secret Murphy documents examined by clerks

Secret documents that could prove the misconduct of former High Court judge Lionel Keith Murphy are being examined for wider release after the expiry of their statutory 30 year withholding period.

The documents, obtained by a commission of inquiry before Justice Murhpy's death, have been in the exclusive possession of parliament's presiding officers but can now be accessed by written authority.

The clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives have been given authority to trawl through the documents and will determine whether wider access is granted.