7am The man who exposed corruption in offshore detention
Nov 30, 2025
Nick Feik, an independent journalist known for his investigative work on offshore contracts, speaks with whistleblower Derek Elias, who exposed corruption within the Department of Home Affairs. They explore how contracts remain extended despite a dramatic drop in detainees and the political motivations behind this anomaly. Elias shares his journey from internal whistleblower to public advocate, revealing instances of luxury spending linked to these contracts. They highlight the bipartisan silence surrounding critical scrutiny of the offshore detention system.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Contracts Extended To Avoid Procurement
- Department of Home Affairs routinely extended contracts to avoid proper procurement processes as asylum numbers fell.
- Contractors exploited that leverage to keep costly services unchanged despite reduced need.
Astronomical Per-Person Costs
- By 2023, Nauru held only 22 asylum seekers while costs remained astronomically high.
- That translated to roughly $20 million spent per person under existing contracts.
Luxury Costs Hidden In Contracts
- Derek Elias found contracts paying for luxury insurance, yachts and sports car cover under offshore deals.
- He saw money routed to Nauruan politicians and friends via subcontracting.