Home Truths
A months-long investigation into the failures of Home Affairs, exposing deep flaws in the operation of Australia’s gatekeepers.
AFP retracts statement Dutton was briefed on Nauru bribery investigation
The grilling of senior police raises serious further questions about how Home Affairs managed multibillion-dollar offshore processing contracts.
- by Michael Bachelard and Nick McKenzie
Exclusive
Boats, borders and bad guys: How a super department has come unstuck
A mounting litany of problems could mean the end of the Home Affairs experiment that began six years ago
- by Michael Bachelard and Nick McKenzie
Exclusive
Millions of dollars in detention money went to Pacific politicians
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs oversaw the payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to powerful Pacific Island politicians through a chain of suspect contracts.
- by Nick McKenzie, Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger
Exclusive
‘Sensitive’ police investigation into Nauru contractor
In March 2022, the AFP’s Sensitive Investigation Oversight Board approved Operation Bernie, which is investigating whether private company Canstruct was involved in corporate wrongdoing.
- by Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard
Exclusive
Police suspect banned Albanian politician is running an Australian crime clan
Intelligence files allege the politician may be a leading figure in a burgeoning criminal network in this country.
- by Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard
Exclusive
‘No one’s indispensable’: Former minister takes aim at Home Affairs
Karen Andrews says her former department needs reshaping and time might be up for its long-serving head, Mike Pezzullo.
- by Michael Bachelard and Nick McKenzie
Opinion
Scandal has stuck to Morrison, but offshore truths could hit home for Dutton
Recriminations over the conduct of the former Coalition government have mostly centred on Scott Morrison to date. The next inquiry will put Peter Dutton under scrutiny.
- by Peter Hartcher
Exclusive
Violent, organised and in Australia: Dangerous Albanian criminals make a mockery of migration system
Police and intelligence agencies are concerned that the organised crime gangs are exploiting weak immigration controls to run large operations in Australia.
- by Nick McKenzie, Michael Bachelard and Amelia Ballinger
Nauru doctor: Where did all the millions go?
Chris Jones was kicked off Nauru for treating his patients with too much care. He believes he was interrupting Nauru politicians’ business model.
- by Michael Bachelard, Nick McKenzie and Amelia Ballinger
Home Affairs says Nauru detention scandal should be referred to police, NACC
Home Affairs said the responsibility rested with the companies engaged by the Commonwealth rather than the government itself.
- by Angus Thompson
Exclusive
Manus contractor boss paid $1.2m to mother working at Home Affairs
Paladin majority owner Craig Thrupp defended the transfers which are under investigation by the anti-corruption watchdog.
- by Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard
Minister invokes corruption watchdog over offshore detention scandal
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said claims of improper use of taxpayer dollars by companies contracted by the department were deeply concerning.
- by Angus Thompson
Podcast
Please Explain: How millions of dollars in detention money went to Pacific politicians
Investigative journalists Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard discuss their investigation into the secret money trail beginning in Home Affairs coffers and ending with payments to bank accounts controlled by powerful Pacific Island politicians.
Exclusive
Brought to Australia as a ‘student’, Henry was made into a slave
An unscrupulous employer engineered a path to this country for the young hopeful Chinese man, then put him to work for a pittance.
- by Michael Bachelard, Nick McKenzie and Amelia Ballinger
Exclusive
Albanian mafia linked to dead multimillionaire trucking boss
Troy Kellett died after falling from a stack of shipping containers at an Adelaide dock. Police are probing if he was there to help in a narcotics importation.
- by Nick McKenzie and Marta Pascual Juanola
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/home-truths-20230725-p5dr4q.html