Home Affairs Whistleblower Alleges millions Misspent on Nauru Immigration Deals
CANBERRA – A former Home Affairs official has come forward alleging millions of dollars in Australian taxpayer funds were improperly spent on offshore immigration detention arrangements on Nauru,potentially lining the pockets of corrupt officials. The whistleblower,who has not been named,claims the department was aware of a system where funds were diverted through subcontractors linked to Nauruan politicians.
The allegations center around Canstruct, the company contracted to manage infrastructure on Nauru related to Australia’s offshore processing regime. The official alleges Canstruct engaged in a “cosy relationship” with the Nauruan government, providing “additional services and favours” – described as “sweeteners” - that ultimately benefited individuals within the Nauruan management.
“We were propping up a system that was unaccountable. We were paying for things that didn’t happen,” the former official stated.
the claims include accusations that President David Adeang, who recently signed the NZYQ immigration deportation deal with the Albanese government, improperly benefited from kickbacks paid to subcontractors. Australian security agencies previously warned the federal government in 2020 that Adeang may have received kickbacks from firms subcontracted for the offshore processing regime. Intelligence briefings also suggest adeang has been suspected of using Australian banks to launder funds intended for offshore processing operations.
The whistleblower further stated they faced unjust attacks from their employer for raising concerns about the alleged wrongdoing.”I’m really, really sick of it,” they said. ”I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong.Why would I have to apologise or feel guilty about pointing out that we have spent money that we shouldn’t have, and it’s gone to people who have put it in their own pockets?”
The Home Affairs department responded with a statement asserting the offshore processing regime is “carefully managed” and includes “robust” due diligence procedures. “suppliers must meet ethical, performance and diligence standards expected of them as suppliers to the Commonwealth,” the statement read.
Canstruct has previously declined to comment on the allegations, which are currently being investigated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The allegations raise renewed scrutiny over the openness and accountability of Australia’s offshore immigration detention policies and the potential for corruption in related contracts.
[Image of an Aston Martin Superleggera, similar to that alleged to have been insured.]
An Aston Martin Superleggera, similar to that alleged to have been insured.
