One of our readers wrote to the ABC to ask why there's been no coverage of the Slater and Gordon search warrant or the police application to the Magistrates' Court about the material they seized from Ms Gillard's former office.

Here's the ABC's answer.

Dear xxxxx,

Thank you for your email regarding investigations being conducted by Victoria Police.

It is a matter of public record that some form of investigation is underway. We know this because the ABC extensively reported the fact that Ralph Blewitt and others took information to the Police.

Beyond this, there are few confirmed facts which would reach the threshold of ABC editorial standards for reporting. We accept that other media may operate to a different standard, but we do not intend to compromise our own.

Reporting that the (then) Prime Minister of the nation is under police investigation is an enormously significant call to make. It cannot be made on supposition, on rumour, or on hearsay.

You have said that Vic Pol have confirmed this in writing, but we have not cited this media release or public communication.  According to The Australian they’ve been collecting files but you would expect any Police investigation to gather up this sort of primary documentation.   That does not mean Ms Gillard is under investigation.

For all we know, the investigation could be into Ralph Blewitt, or Bruce Wilson or Slater and Gordon or any number of other individuals and entities.

Rather than mimicking other media reports, the ABC is following fine principles of reporting confirmed fact.

When such facts become available, you can be sure the ABC will report them.

Yours sincerely

Adam Doyle

ABC News

ENDS

Here is the ABC online news lead story today.

Tony Abbott to unveil ministry: Mathias Cormann to be promoted, Bronwyn Bishop nominated for Speaker

PM-elect Tony Abbott is expected to announce his leadership team today, with WA Senator Mathias Cormann set to be the big winner.

Mr Abbott had been expected to thin the ranks of senators in the team, and Senator Ian Macdonald has revealed he is no longer on the frontbench.

But in a major endorsement, Senator Cormann is set to be promoted into cabinet as finance minister.

He was elected to parliament in 2007 and had been the Coalition's assistant treasury, financial services and superannuation spokesman.

Having never served in government, the Senator's elevation into the ministry continues his stellar rise in the parliament and could be the biggest surprise to be unveiled later today.

Andrew Robb was the Coalition's spokesman for finance in opposition and he is likely to be named trade minister.

This move is likely to upset the Nationals, who are traditionally awarded the trade portfolio when the Coalition is in government.

There had been much speculation Arthur Sinodinos could be parachuted into finance but the ABC understands he is likely to be promoted into the junior ministry.

ENDS

The ABC's logic baffles me.