Wilson Security guard Jason Kahika called before Senate inquiry to explain the ‘rogue’ operation said to have involved up to eight guards monitoring the senator

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A senior Wilson Security guard on Nauru who ordered his subordinates to spy on senator Sarah Hanson-Young while she was on the island has been called to appear before a Senate inquiry to explain what the company has described as a “rogue” operation.



Greens call for Wilson Security ban at Nauru amid claims of spying on senator Read more

Jason Kahika has been asked before the inquiry on Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the clandestine operation he ran, which reportedly included up to eight security guards watching the senator’s hotel room and car, and referring to her in communications by the codename “Raven”.

Anonymous submission 62 to the Senate inquiry by a Wilson Security guard detailed the surveillance of Hanson-Young.



“When Senator Sarah Hanson-Young visited Nauru, Wilson Security organised a team from [the] ERT (Emergency Response Team) to spy on her while she was on Nauru. This included following her around the island while she was outside of the OPCs and setting up an observation post to watch her room at the Menen hotel,” the submission said.



“The briefing was given by ERT supervisor [name redacted] in which he gave orders to spy on the senator. This briefing included her room number, vehicle registration and even using code name ‘Raven’ over the radio to make reference to her.”



The Senate inquiry heard Kahika ordered two junior guards to sit in a car outside the Menen hotel for 12 hours, watching Hanson-Young’s car.



When the operation was discovered, Kahika was suspended with pay. He was later reinstated to a supervisory role.



Kahika’s superior Ben Gilbert, who stopped the spying operation when he discovered it, has also been asked to appear before the inquiry.



Nauru guards were spying on Sarah Hanson-Young, Senate inquiry told Read more

A spokeswoman for Wilson said the company was unable to discuss matters before the inquiry and information would need to come from the secretariat.



During an earlier appearance, Wilson said the spying was not part of an authorised surveillance operation, but “the rogue action of a misguided individual”.



But the ABC reported Wilson staff allege up to eight guards were involved in the surveillance of Hanson-Young, and that documents around the operation were shredded when it was uncovered.



“It was a misguided action by an unauthorised individual that should never have occurred,” John Rogers, executive general manager, southern Pacific, of Wilson Security, told the inquiry.



“I offer an unreserved apology to Senator Hanson-Young for any distress that this may have caused.”



In its formal response, Wilson said the surveillance was well-intentioned and that the guards’ “motivation was the security of the senator”.



The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, initially described Hanson-Young’s allegation as “completely unfounded”. On Monday he told parliament the government had not been involved in the spying and that it was “a dispute, as I understand, between Wilson’s, the contractor, and an employee”.



Kahika has not yet confirmed his attendance at the hearing to the committee. Guardian Australia has attempted to contact him for comment.

Hanson-Young said she was seeking independent legal counsel about her being followed and spied on.

She said the evidence of whistleblowers from the island contradicted that of Wilson staff, and the unauthorised surveillance was further evidence of a lawless attitude among contractors on the island.

“If these government contractors are prepared to breach the privacy of a federal senator and break the law by doing so, what are they doing to the men, women and children detained inside the detention camp?” she told Guardian Australia.

“It is clear that these new and very serious allegations of spying together with the serious nature of abuse against women and children inside the camp, shows the government contractors are acting as a law unto themselves.”

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old asylum seeker on Nauru who was allegedly raped three months ago is reportedly critically ill from a hunger strike that has entered its 33rd day. Other asylum seekers reported she had had no water for a week and was not speaking.

The woman was admitted to hospital after losing consciousness last week. Doctors have reportedly told family members that the high potassium levels in her blood indicate kidney failure.

The Australian Border Force have confirmed they are aware of the rape allegation. Nauru police have said they are investigating. No arrests have been made or charges laid.