Wilson Security refuses to answer questions about private investigator, uses crisis management PR firm to respond
Last week Guardian Australia reported that Wilson Security hired a private investigator at least twice in 2015 to “aggressively” pursue the sources of Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty and myself in relation to stories we wrote about Manus Island.
Ben Doherty’s report can be found here and my three reports can be found here, here and here.
Today I called Wilson Security and asked a series of questions regarding the investigation. They told me to email them my questions.
Below are my emails to Wilson Security and Wilson Security’s response.
Wilson Security refused to answer my questions, 11 in total. They refused to deny that the investigator targeted me personally or spied on me, like Wilson Security spied on Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young while she was in Nauru in 2013.
Instead, Wilson Security referred me to their response last week to Guardian Australia, which is also included below.
The email address I was given when I called Wilson Security today was wilson@informatus.com.au
I received a reply from the same address.
Informatus’ website states it is a “leading Australian litigation communications and advisory firm specialising in dispute resolution and issues management” which “provides frank advice to boards and senior executives during periods of intense public scrutiny.”
According to their website, Informatus also provides “inquiry support and preparation, litigation and class action communications, reputation management, crisis management and product liability communications.
“Informatus builds, rebuilds, and enhances brand equity for corporate clients engaged in high-profile disputes and controversy.
“Informatus incorporates digital media, advocacy and communications strategies to overcome public critics and adversaries attacking your brand and tarnishing your reputation.
“We act immediately to ensure the media is unable to take control of the narrative.
“During times of crisis, every moment counts. It is crucial to keep stakeholders informed, control the narrative and balance the need for transparency and accountability with commercial discretion.
“The media tend to automatically side with the victim, providing them with the resources to win a communications war. By challenging them at the outset you can empower your brand and be viewed favourably by the public.”
How long has Wilson Security been using Informatus’ services? Did Wilson Security use Informatus’ services for the 2015 senate inquiry on the Recent Allegations relating to Conditions and Circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru? Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention? Moss Report?
Wilson Security cares more about their brand rather than the people they have been tasked with looking after on Manus Island and Nauru.
UPDATE — Thursday 6 October
Yesterday, Wednesday 5 October, I called Mr Dutton’s office Dutton’s and asked did he authorise Wilson Security hiring a private investigator to find my source/s and was he, his office, or the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) staff notified of or involved in the investigation in any way? If yes, when and in what capacity?
Mr Dutton’s office refused to answer these questions. They told me their “media person” was unavailable and I should email Mr Dutton and would have to wait for 4 weeks to get a reply.
This is pathetic considering Mr Dutton has three ministerial media officers and DIBP has 82 communications staff plus external media consultants, costing $8.4 million (excluding the three ministerial media officers), as reported by Fairfax last week.
Below is the email I sent to Mr Dutton yesterday. I await his reply.
UPDATE — Tuesday 18 October
On Monday 17 October Greens immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim asked the Department of Immigration and Border Protection at a senate estimates hearing about Wilson Security hiring a private investigator.
David Nockels, First Assistant Secretary, Detention Services Division, said the department “does not have a direct contractual relationship with Wilson Security.”
Senator McKim replied: I understand it is with Broadspectrum.
Mr Nockels: The department has a direct contractual relationship with Broadspectrum or BRS, who in turn subcontract to Wilson. So the department did not specifically ask Wilson to commence an investigation.
Senator McKim: Thank you. Did the department ask Broadspectrum to ask Wilson to commence an investigation?”
Mr Nockels: To my understanding, that is not the case.
Senator McKim: Not to your knowledge? Mr Pezzullo, to your knowledge, did the department ask Broadspectrum —
Michael Pezzullo, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection: Certainly not to my knowledge. You are referring to documents released under FOI. I would have to refresh myself as to what those documents state to be entirely unequivocal. But, to my knowledge, no. It would be passing strange, frankly, for any such direction to be given to Wilson through BRS. But I will reacquaint myself with the release documents to ensure that that accords with the facts.
Mr Pezzullo said the department would take the question on notice. Answers to questions on notice are to be returned to the committee by Friday 2 December 2016.
The Hansard from senate estimates is below.
