The Australian Federal Police investigations into the high-profile Afghan files and Australian Signals Directorate leaks have cost taxpayers nearly $300,000, it can be revealed.
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A letter also shows Annika Smethurst's story was referred to police two days after it was published in April 2018.
Federal police raided the Canberra home of the Newcorp journalist and the ABC's headquarters in Ultimo in connection with the stories in June, spurring a political firestorm over
Smethurst's story alleged the heads of Defence and Home Affairs discussed new powers to allow the Australian Signals Directorate to spy on Australians for the first time, based on leaked classified documents.
The intelligence agency is currently restricted to gathering intelligence and fighting cyber crime offshore.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton described the proposition was "complete nonsense", although later said there had to be a "sensible discussion" about whether Australia's law enforcement and intelligence agencies had the power to deal with the threats the country was facing.
The AFP has confirmed the cost of the investigation into the leak ran to $134,900, as of August 6, excluding legal costs.
Meanwhile, a newly published letter shows Defence secretary Greg Moriarty made a formal request to police to investigate the leak two days after the story was published.
Mr Moriarty described the material in the story as "highly classified" but did not specify any national security harm caused.
Police figures also reveal the cost of investigation into the Afghan files leak has reached $140,600. This doesn't include legal costs.
The ABC first published allegations of war crimes carried out by Australia's special forces in Afghanistan, based on hundreds of pages of classified documents in July 2017.
Former military lawyer David McBride is currently facing charges in the ACT Supreme Court over the leaks.
The ABC is challenging the validity of the search warrant in the Federal Court and is seeking the return of documents seized during the raid.
Police have not ruled out charging Smethhurst or ABC reporter Dan Oakes over the publication of the material
Home Affairs boss Mike Pezzullo said the person who leaked the Australian Signals Directorate material should also be jailed. Police are believed to be closing in on the suspect.
