Former Nauru guards reveal spying operations on Senator Sarah Hanson-Young at Nauru detention centre

At least eight security guards had been assigned to spy on Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young while she was at the Nauru immigration detention centre in 2013 for inspection, revealed several former Nauru guards. Wilson Security has been accused of deceiving Parliament enquiry into the matter by providing misleading evidences.

Several former guards have reported the spying operation on the senator ever since the Parliament started its probe, the first one being reported in early June. It has also been revealed by the guards that the operation has been more extensive than what has been admitted by Wilson Security.

According to the guards, every move of Hanson-Young was observed and recorded by the members of the Emergency Response Team throughout her stay in Nauru in December 2013. A former guard told ABC on Thursday on conditions of anonymity that the Wilson security guards who have been put on the operation were even asked to keep track of who she spoke to around the island as well as in her room. But they were later asked by the management to destroy all written records of their investigation when their secret operation came under suspicion.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott had rejected allegations by Hanson-Young that she was being spied on during her stay in Nauru. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton had also shrugged off her claims saying, "she gets most of her facts wrong most of the time."

"I think Senator Hanson-Young conducts herself in a way which is frankly an embarrassment to our country," Dutton had said.

The name of the supervisor who ordered the operation has also been named by the guards and Wilson security claimed that he was suspended with pay but got promoted after nine months. Claims by Wilson Securities about a whistleblower hotline and regular alcohol tests on staff members have also been dismissed by the guards who said they were unaware of any whistleblower hotline or alcohol tests. ABC news reported that the guards said that many workers turned up intoxicated and alcohol was a regular problem.

John Rogers, Wilson Securities executive manager, apologised to Hanson-Young last month during a Senate enquiry, saying that the operation had been conducted by a “misguided” supervisor.

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