Northern Territory Senator Nova Peris says the leaked emails were part of a long-running family dispute, and she denies any wrongdoing.
SENATOR Nova Peris has failed to address key questions surrounding her involvement in seeking taxpayers' money to bring former Olympian Ato Boldon to Australia to carry out an extramarital affair.
In a statement to the Senate on Thursday, Ms Peris claimed email revelations in the NT News this week were part of a family and estate dispute and refrained from explaining all of the sources outside of Athletics Australia that she sought money from to bring Mr Boldon to Australia.
SENATOR NOVA PERIS BREAKS SILENCE
Emails previously published show that amount could be up to $22,000, in part funded by the "indigenous grants mob" and other taxpayer-funded groups.
Ms Peris was employed at the time as a communication officer with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies and operated as an ambassador with Athletics Australia.
"I categorically reject any wrongdoing," Ms Peris said.
"I have done nothing wrong. It pains me to have to talk about my private life but the publication of these emails is part of a long-running and very difficult child access and financial estate dispute."
Ms Peris said she was part of a blackmail attempt and alleged the source of the leaked emails tried to "extract money" from her.
"The release and publication of these emails is an attempt to extract money and embarrass me and my family," she said.
"I can inform the Senate, the NT News was well aware these emails were part of a long running family dispute ahead of its publication."
Despite giving Ms Peris more than 24 hours to respond to questions about the use of taxpayers money at no stage did she raise with the NT News any allegations of blackmail prior to publication of the emails.
Labor Senator Nova Peris addressing the Senate Chamber in Parliament House Canberra, over allegations she improperly used Australian taxpayers money to bring Olympic sprinter Ato Boldon to Australia. Source: News Corp Australia
Nor did she raise any issues regarding a dispute about an estate.
The NT News had been aware for some time Ms Peris was involved in a family dispute, but chose not to publish this fact because it was not in the public interest.
The source of the emails yesterday refuted Ms Peris' claims that money was ever asked for.
"Nowhere in the letter did I try and extort money," the source said.
"In no way did I do that."
Mr Boldon told media on Wednesday that the NT News' report contained "gross fabrications".
ATO BOLDON RESPONDS TO CLAIMS
Ms Peris did not dispute the authenticity of the emails in Parliament.
"I am aware that Mr Boldon has stated that the emails are fake," she said. "What I can say is that the views attributed to me over the past two days, based on the publication of selected words contained in private emails, which I don't have, certainly don't reflect my views. They don't reflect my values and the evidence of this is the life I have led and continue to lead."
Ms Peris told Parliament on Thursday she was separated from her husband Daniel Batman at the time of Ato Boldon's visit and subsequent affair.
"There have been media reports about my role in a trip to Australia by Ato Boldon in April 2010 at the time when I was separated from my ex-husband Daniel Batman who is now deceased," she said.
Praise ... Labor Senator Nova Peris is an honest person and a "great Australian", says Bill Shorten. Source: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia
Emails already published show Ms Peris was asking Mr Boldon if she should break it to her husband that she would be running away with him for 10 days. Other emails indicate she knew she was carrying out an affair.
In a previously unpublished email, Ms Peris told Mr Boldon on April 20, a day after his 10-day tour: "Dan is moving out this week…We r separating, I don't care…It's best for us to do that, he needs to mature and grow, anyway I want to speak with you Ato…I miss you so much."
Ms Peris told the Senate she had been threatened in a letter dated October 9. The AFP have said they had launched an investigation into leaked emails on October 2.
Ms Peris' office refused comment yesterday.
In the Senate Ms Peris said she had spoken to Cathy Freeman whom she called "so so dumb" in an email and that the pair's "friendship remains strong".
The NT News stands by its original story, which deals with a matter of public importance, namely the use of taxpayer funds.
The emails also revealed Ms Peris' thoughts about race issues.
In the NT News' original questions to Ms Peris, it was asked whether she stood by her comment in emails to Mr Boldon that "white people hate black people in this country".
She failed to address this question with the NT News or in Parliament yesterday.
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