Australia's conservative leader Tony Abbott (C) stands with his wife Margaret (2nd L) and daughters (L-R) Frances, Louise and Bridget as he claims victory in Australia's federal election during an election night function in Sydney September 7, 2013. Abbot
Australia's conservative leader Tony Abbott (C) stands with his wife Margaret (2nd L) and daughters (L-R) Frances, Louise and Bridget as he claims victory in Australia's federal election during an election night function in Sydney September 7, 2013. Abbott swept into office in a landslide election on Saturday as voters punished the outgoing Labor government for six years of turbulent rule and for failing to maximise the benefits of a now fading mining boom. REUTERS/Rob Griffith/Pool (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS)
Australia's conservative leader Tony Abbott (C) stands with his wife Margaret (2nd L) and daughters (L-R) Frances, Louise and Bridget as he claims victory in Australia's federal election during an election night function in Sydney September 7, 2013. Abbott swept into office in a landslide election on Saturday as voters punished the outgoing Labor government for six years of turbulent rule and for failing to maximise the benefits of a now fading mining boom. REUTERS/Rob Griffith/Pool (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Even Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his daughter Frances are probably relieved that the Downing Centre Local Court did not convict Freya Newman for accessing restricted data and sharing her discovery.

It was Newman, a 21-year-old library assistant at the Whitehouse Institute of Design, who confirmed what she heard from other students by using the log-in of another library staff without permission that Frances was given a $60,000 scholarship by the institute. She leaked the information to the editor of news Web site New Matilda, Chris Graham, who wrote a story about the "undeserved" scholarship.

Graham's article the following day was an expose on the unusual circumstances that the school granted the scholarship to the daughter of Abbott who was then Opposition leader. She did not go through a rigorous selection process, just one interview, and the school said it had no scholarships for its students.

When Graham's article came out, the school defended the scholarship on the ground that it was the institute's prerogative whom to award the scholarship, which was previously awarded to the chairman's child.

Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan gave Newman on Tuesday a two-year good behaviour bond with no conviction record because she was convinced with Newman's explanation that she was "motivated by a sense of injustice." She has also personally apologised to Frances through a letter.

A court conviction could lead to negative repercussion on the Abbotts. During the trial period, student groups rallied in support of Newman.

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Graham said he was aware that writing the article would win him praises, but it could place Newman at risk. He said that Newman was aware of the possible negative impact of her disclosure.

"Freya knew from day one the significance of what may occur - she didn't go into this with her eyes shut," The Australian quoted Graham.