Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg could face a 12-month jail term if the Child Support Agency finds he breached legislation governing the release of confidential information.
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On Monday Member for Cook Billy Gordon accused the Opposition Leader of using confidential Child Support Agency material related to his family to give journalists information.
However on Tuesday Mr Springborg said he "was comfortable" with the manner in which his office obtained the information.
"This information was not improperly acquired," Mr Springborg said.
"This information came into our hands and this information was used to validate our concerns to the media, with no expectations of dissemination beyond that, or publication."
Mr Springborg said an individual could rightly ask for an inquiry into how the Child Support Agency information was obtained.
"All I will say is that – consistent with what you have found – I don't believe there was anything done that was in breach of that," Mr Springborg said.
The Federal Child Support Agency told Fairfax Media on Tuesday morning it would investigate any claims that confidential child support information had been illegally released.
A spokesman for Human Services Minister Marise Payne, who manages the Child Support Agency, echoed that statement.
"Any allegation of inappropriate release of child support information by the department would be fully investigated and appropriate action would be taken in relation to any breach," the spokeswoman said.
"These secrecy and privacy provisions are intended to ensure that the sensitive information provided by parents and in the possession of the department is appropriately protected by the department."
"The department takes its obligations under secrecy and privacy laws to protect the integrity of the Child Support Scheme very seriously."
The spokeswoman said there were circumstances in which the confidential Child Support Agency information could have been released.
"The department provides relevant information to both parents as appropriate as part of a child support assessment. Once information has been provided to both parents, a subsequent use or disclosure is not within the control of the department," the spokeswoman said.
"Allegations of a breach of the secrecy provisions are, if appropriate, referred to the relevant authorities, such as the police, for investigation."
There are other avenues - involving police and emergency situations - where child support information can be released.
