Wellington, March 18 NZPA - The State Services Commission has launched inquiries into the unauthorised release of Government information including a Cabinet paper on the stocktake of Crown minerals.

The first inquiry is into the unauthorised disclosure of information relating to a Cabinet paper on the Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991, while the second investigates the unauthorised disclosure of information relating to a "machinery of government" Cabinet paper on proposed changes to the structure of the state sector.

"The unauthorised release of Government information has the potential to seriously undermine trust in the public service," said Sate Services Commissioner Ian Rennie.

"It is critical that we thoroughly investigate these breaches and act on any findings to ensure confidence in the system is maintained."