In a collaborative investigation involving 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, it has been found that the Department of Home Affairs, responsible for immigration, cyber and infrastructure security, national security, resilience and border control, appears to be suffering from substantial systemic shortcomings.
Nick McKenzie reports that significant systemic failings have been discovered. Such shortcomings have not only endangered Australia’s border security but have also provided overseas crime syndicates with pathways into the country. This has facilitated their illicit activities, from drug trafficking, money laundering to worker exploitation and corruption.
McKenzie has uncovered evidence that the breaches in security have paved the way for foreign organised crime syndicates to infiltrate the country.
This lapse in oversight has reportedly simplified their operations, making violent acts, drug smuggling, money laundering, corruption, forced labour and exploitation of workers more prevalent.
Also this Sunday, Sarah Abo draws attention to the escalating crackdown on dissent in China. The pro-Beijing Hong Kong leader, John Lee, has taken the extreme measure of putting a bounty on eight pro-democracy activists.
Lee’s reward of $200,000 for the capture of each activist is not merely a symbolic gesture; he intends to ensure they face lifelong suffering.
All eight activists have managed to seek refuge outside of China, with two of them currently in Australia. Despite finding asylum, their fear continues to persist.
