Refugee Supporters have interrupted question time and are currently occupying the public gallery and foyer of the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne demanding that the State Government cancel its contracts with refugee abusers Wilson Security.

ACTION CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS

Refugee supporters are currently occupying the foyer of the Victorian State Parliament in Spring Street, Melbourne, calling for the Andrews government to cancel all of its contracts with Wilson Security.

Other members of the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens alliance (WACA) and friends have also interrupted Parliamentary Question Time in the lower house of the Victorian Parliament.

Banners read ‘REFUGEE ABUSERS ARE GUARDING OUR PARLIAMENT’ and ‘VIC GOVT- REFUSE TO BE COMPLICIT’. More than ten Victorian Government Departments have contracts with Wilson Security.

WACA spokesperson Charlotte Lynch said “Wilson Security stands accused as one of the main perpetrators of human rights abuses in immigration detention centres managed by the Australian Government. Wilson Security has a culture of human rights abuses and cover ups; as perpetrated against asylum seekers and refugees, including children, in immigration detention and allegedly committed by its guards in mental health units in Victorian public hospitals.

It has no social license to operate in our communities or public institutions.”

The Daniel Andrews ALP State Government has previously claimed to support the #LetThemStay movement to stop forced transfers back to Nauru of refugees who needed medical care in Australia.

Charlotte Lynch states,

“In 2016, photos were widely publicised of Daniel Andrews accompanying child refugees on a zoo excursion. This publicity appears to be in stark contrast with the government’s business dealings with Wilson Security. The contracts tell a story – one of compromised integrity and the prioritisation of profit over human lives. The Victorian Government’s Ethical Procurement Framework and its Human Rights Charter legislation is blatantly compromised through its contracts with Wilsons Security”.

The #BoycottWilson campaign has been active across Australia, with other state-owned institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria recently cancelling their contract following community pressure. This campaign also resulted in the removal of Wilson Security from the Melbourne University campus.

WACA spokesperson Tori Ball says,

“We demand that the Andrews Government makes a public commitment to cancel all of its contracts with Wilsons Security. As a company prepared to violate human rights for profit it must be disqualified. The Victorian government led the way in Australia in legislating a Human Rights Charter. To continue contracts with Wilson Security makes that Charter a hollow document.”

“WACA representatives have frequently attempted to directly engage with the state Government over this issue and have had meetings with Robin Scott, the Minister for Finance. WACA are requesting a meeting with Daniel Andrews to question the use of taxpayer money being used to fund human rights abusers. If Daniel Andrews is serious about supporting people seeking asylum, the government MUST cancel their contracts with Wilson Security. There is no business in abuse,” Anu Algama concluded.

#BoycottWilson
#CanceltheContracts
#Justice4Refugees
#DivestFromAbuse
#StopDeportations

Website: www.waca.net.au/refugees
Facebook: www.facebook.com/akaWACA/
Twitter: @akaWACA
__________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND DOCUMENT

During 2016 and 2017 WACA attempted to engage the State Government via the Premier’s Department and then on referral to the Finance Minister, Robin Scott.

Below is one letter in a series of communications and meetings attempting to brief the Minister on the Victorian Government’s need to uphold the Charter of Human Rights and their own Ethical Procurement Framework for awarding public money to contractors.

September 12, 2017

Dear Mr Scott,

Re: Victorian Government Contracts with Wilson Security

Further to our meeting on August 16, and at your’s and Kate Dunn’s request, we submit the following information for your consideration and request that you examine Victorian Government contracts held with Wilson Security using the lens of the Victorian Government’s Ethical Procurement Framework.

Whistleblowers, Activists & Citizens’ Alliance (WACA) asserts that Wilson Security fails the criteria for this framework; specifically in the areas of:

Section A integrity, ethics and conduct
Section D labour and human rights; and
Section E health and safety.

We note the State’s commentary on its code:

“The Victorian State Government (the State) is committed to ethical, sustainable and socially responsible procurement. To support this commitment, the State has implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct (the Code).

The State views its suppliers as partners and cares about the way that they do business when providing goods or services, including construction works and services to, or on behalf of, the State.

The Code describes the minimum expectations that suppliers should aspire to meet in the areas of:
A. integrity, ethics and conduct;
B. conflict of interest, gifts, benefits and hospitality;
C. corporate governance;
D. labour and human rights;
E. health and safety; and
F. environmental management.”

http://www.procurement.vic.gov.au/Buyers/Supplier-Code-of-Conduct

It is further noted that the public is not granted full access to the Code as it applies to the procurement process. As such, we have not been able to examine it in depth.
http://www.procurement.vic.gov.au/CA2575BA0001417C/pages/procurement-practitioners-stage-1—planning-step-3—develop-the-procurement-strategy-procurement-and-ethical-employment-(standard)-policy

In our discussion with you we made reference to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. We maintain, that in the broad definition, the Victorian Government has obligation to uphold its principles.

“Its importance, beyond simply identifying a range of human rights, is that it commits public authorities to actively respect and protect these rights and fulfil certain obligations. In operation, this means that all public authorities must give proper consideration to human rights in their decision making and to act compatibly with the rights contained in the Charter when providing services and making decisions.
Governments have a responsibility to protect, promote, respect and fulfil human rights…”
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
Summary
https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/…rights…/1838_111cf0a081724e75…
The Victorian State government holds extensive and lucrative contracts with Wilson Security. These include the following departments and agencies.
• Department of Treasury and Finance (VIC)
• Department of Business & Innovation (DBI)
• Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)
• Department of Human Services (VIC)
• Department of Human Services – Office of Housing
• Department of Primary Industries
• VicRoads
• WorkSafe
• Court Services (VIC
• Vic Police
We note that not all contracts are available for public scrutiny and question this lack of transparency. In particular, the state purchase contracts for “Security Services” are not publicly available on the government’s own web pages.

State Purchase Contracts
Security Services
http://www.procurement.vic.gov.au/CA2575BA0001417C/pages/procurement-practitioners-stage-1—planning-step-3—develop-the-procurement-strategy-procurement-and-ethical-employment-(standard)-policy

The scale of Wilson Security’s involvement in, and infiltration of, Victoria’s public life, day to day operations and social fabric is immense. It receives significant tax-payer funded monies. We believe that Wilson Security has no social licence to operate within our communities.
Please refer to the Appendix A for links that contain reports that indicate the critical and serious nature of Wilson Security’s alleged human rights abuses. These crimes are committed against people who sought Australia’s asylum, as is their right under the UN Convention on Refugees. http://www.unhcr.org/en-au/1951-refugee-convention.html http://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.pdf
These people have been, and remain, detained in Manus Is. PNG, and in Nauru detention centres under Australian management and supervision, with Wilson Security contracted by the Australian government to supply garrison services. Both the federal government and Wilson Security have sought to avoid public exposure and accountability for human rights abuses allegedly committed by Wilson Security employees (and formerly G4S employees on Manus Is.) On a related note, Serco employees have also been implicated in human rights abuses committed against asylum seekers, both on-shore and during transfers and deportations.
As revealed in the Panama Papers Report, the owners of Wilson Security, Thomas and Raymond Kwok, have been embroiled in a corruption scandal in Hong Kong. Raymond Kwok is currently serving a prison sentence for bribery convictions. Allegations of tax evasion made by the company in Australia were reported (see Appendix D). Wilson Security must also be examined on these matters using the Victorian Government’s Ethical Procurement Framework Code.
WACA applauds the Andrews’ government’s announcement of a $600k funding package to assist asylum seekers affected by the federal government’s decision to withdraw already minimal financial support and housing from them. We also note that the Victorian government provides ongoing assistance to ameliorate the void left by the federal government’s inadequate support of asylum seekers in general. We hope that Daniel Andrews stands by his statement made last year that:
“Victoria will accept full responsibility for all of these children and their families”
(in reference to caseload legacy clients).
We call on the Andrews’ Labor government to join the ACT government in declaring the whole of Victoria a ‘Refugee Welcome Zone’ (See Appendix B). Many of our local councils have formalised this process and have also signed up to the ‘No Business in Abuse’ campaign (See Appendix C).
We believe that the Victorian government must take brave action to apply its Ethical Procurement Framework to all of its government contracts. This will prevent public funds being paid to companies that commit human rights abuses and that make profit on the bodies of asylum seekers.
Yours Sincerely,
Gaye Demanuele Kat Moore
On behalf of WACA (Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance)

APPENDIX A*
Recent Allegations relating to Conditions and Circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Regional_processing_Nauru/Regional_processing_Nauru http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Regional_processing_Nauru/Regional_processing_Nauru/Submissions?main_0_content_1_RadGrid1ChangePage=5_20
Final Report: Taking responsibility: conditions and circumstances at Australia’s Regional Processing Centre in Nauru http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Regional_processing_Nauru/Regional_processing_Nauru/Final_Report
Manus Island Detention Centre class action http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/home/law+and+practice/class+actions/manus+island+detention+centre+class+action
Amnesty International Report: NAURU 2016/2017 https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/nauru/report-nauru/
Offshore processing: Australia’s responsibility for asylum seekers and refugees in Nauru and Papua New GuineaSection 4.2 The conduct of private companies and organisations contracted by the Australian government to provide services in Nauru and PNG may also be attributable to Australia. These companies and organisations ‘act on the instructions’ of the Australian government, as represented by the DIBP. The instructions are set out in their contracts and also issued to them directly by DIBP officers in the course of their work. These companies and organisations also ‘act under the direction or control’ of the Australian government, which monitors their work closely through the DIBP. The conduct of Transfield and Wilson Security (and formerly G4S on Manus Island) may also be attributable to Australia on the basis that they are exercising elements of governmental control in detaining asylum seekers and providing all ‘garrison, operational and maintenance services’ at each centre. http://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/publication/offshore-processing-australia%E2%80%99s-responsibility-asylum-seekers-and-refugees-nauru-and
Evidence shows crimes committed by our government on Nauru and Manus https://www.lawyersalliance.com.au/opinion/evidence-shows-crimes-committed-by-our-government-on-nauru-and-manus
Wilson Security’s appalling record on Nauru https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2016/04/09/wilson-securitys-appalling-record-nauru/14601240003105
Wilson Security guards handcuffed asylum seeker boy on Nauru as a ‘joke’ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/28/wilson-security-guards-handcuffed-asylum-seeker-boy-on-nauru-as-a-joke
Twelve of the most harrowing accounts from the Nauru files – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/gallery/2016/aug/10/twelve-of-the-most-harrowing-accounts-from-the-nauru-files-in-pictures
Nauru files reveal cases of alleged sexual violence and child abuse not disclosed to parliament https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/11/nauru-files-reveal-cases-of-alleged-sexual-violence-and-child-abuse-not-disclosed-to-parliament
Former guard on Nauru details allegations against ‘corrupt and incompetent’ Wilson Security http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-04/nauru-whistleblower-details-allegations-against-wilson-security/6478492
Nauru detention centre not safe for children, says Senate committee calling for full audit into abuse claims http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-31/senate-inquiry-calls-for-children-to-be-removed-from-nauru/6738644
*N.B. This by no means an extensive list. There exists a multitude of reports readily available within the public domain.
APPENDIX B
ACT offers to resettle refugees held in ‘inhumane’ offshore detention centres
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/24/act-offers-to-resettle-refugees-held-in-inhumane-offshore-detention-centres
Refugee Council of Australia: Refugee Welcome Zones https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/our-work/refugee-welcome-zones/
APPENDIX C
ASSOCIATION WITH ABUSE: The financial sector’s association with gross human rights abuses of people seeking asylum in Australia http://cdn.getup.org.au/1851-Association_with_Abuse.pdf

No Business in Abuse – Sign the Pledge https://www.nobusinessinabuse.org/site/take-action
Companies Involved In Offshore Detention Frozen Out By City Of Sydney https://newmatilda.com/2015/12/15/companies-involved-in-offshore-detention-frozen-out-by-city-of-sydney/
APPENDIX D
Panama Papers leak: Australian security company Wilson linked to Hong Kong corruption scandal http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-04/australian-company-wilson-linked-to-hong-kong-corruption-scandal/7291178
Wilson Parking’s tax numbers appear to defy economic reality http://www.smh.com.au/business/wilson-parkings-tax-numbers-appear-to-defy-economic-reality-20160408-go1w4u.html
Four Corners: The Panama Papers – Secrets of the Super Rich
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2016/04/04/4434529.htm
No Buisness in Abuse
https://www.nobusinessinabuse.org/site/about
Guardian Article
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/12/i-didnt-know-how-to-survive-the-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-hit-by-coalition-cuts
The Saturday paper on Wilson Security
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2016/04/09/wilson-securitys-appalling-record-nauru/14601240003105
WACA spokesperson Charlotte Lynch