Australia Security and Intelligence Organisation raises concerns about Marion Council procurement officer

A staff member at an Adelaide council has been told to get out of the country after Australia’s spy agency declared her a threat to national security.

An Irish citizen working as a space industry consultant for an Adelaide council has been ordered to leave Australia by the nation’s spy agency.

The Australia Intelligence and Security Organisation (ASIO) had raised security concerns about Marion Council procurement officer Marina Sologub’s links to Russia.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, ASIO had told the federal government to expel Ms Sologub because she “could pose a direct or indirect threat to national security”.

Born in Kazakhstan, Ms Sologub, 38, came to South Australia from Ireland on a state government sponsored migrant visa in 2020.

Her LinkedIn profile says she worked with the SA branch of a British space industry recruitment company, Space Specialists, before joining Deloitte’s Adelaide office.

Former Marion Council procurement officer Marina Sologub who has been ordered to leave Australia. Picture: LinkedIn

Former Marion Council employee Marina Sologub has had her visa cancelled.

Ms Sologub spent seven months with Deloitte writing reports about lunar space missions before joining Marion Council in September, 2021.

In a statement, the council’s acting chief executive, Ben Keen, confirmed Ms Sologub’s employment with the council had been terminated.

“After she advised (us) of her visa situation, her access to all council devices was logged out and the devices reset as per council procedure,” he said.

“The City of Marion has taken the appropriate steps to cease her contract.

“The City of Marion is currently analysing all information that has been accessed as per our policy and procedures.”

The LinkedIn profile for former Marion Council procurement officer Marina Sologub. Picture: LinkedIn

In her LinkedIn profile, Ms Sologub said she worked in the Irish space industry for several years following employment with two politicians.

“(I am) an exceptionally organised and highly driven professional with broad experience in public procurement, business development and contracts management in both the utilities and space industries,” she said.

“(I have) developed an extensive client network across North America, Europe Middle East Asia (EMEA) and Russia for National Space Centre (in Ireland).

Marina Sologub’s Linked In profile. Picture: LinkedIn

Ms Sologub said she was responsible “for the development of contracts to support the gas networks Ireland growth strategy and the Irish water capital investment programme.”

“(I have) strong business expertise and a proven track record of maintaining long-term business and mutually-profitable relationships with clients,” she said.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Sologub spent considerable time interacting with various companies and individuals involved in SA’s developing space industry.

Former Marion Council procurement officer Marina Sologub at an Australian air show.

The cancellation of her visa has emerged days after ASIO director-general Mike Burgess told a parliamentary inquiry the agency had disrupted a “hive of spies” operating within Australia.

The alleged Russian spies had been tracked for up to 18 months before being deported as part of a sweeping counter-espionage investigation conducted by ASIO.

A state government spokesman said Australia was “fortunate to have a highly skilled Commonwealth agency in ASIO and we support its efforts to keep Australia safe”.

The Advertiser is not suggesting Ms Sologub was involved in any illegal activity or espionage, only that concerns about her were raised by ASIO.