14 stories this week:
Insurance industry accuses ‘claim management’ services of misleading customers, increasing premiums – 15 February 2024
The Insurance Council of Australia says claim management companies use misleading tactics to attract customers. The companies act as intermediaries for insurance claims but often add extra fees to the claim. The industry would like to see tighter regulation by ASIC and state consumer protection.
Navy chief refers allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving sexual conquests to military police – 15 February 2024
Allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour inside the Royal Australian Navy have been referred to military police, with parliament being told the matter involves an “officer-only conquest club”.
Australian Federal Police officer William Wheatley to fight crypto fortune theft allegations – 16 February 2024
William Wheatley, a cyber crime police officer will fight allegations he stole a cryptocurrency fortune seized during a drug trafficking investigation. Mr Wheatley has denied he is responsible for the alleged crypto theft and will appear in the County Court.
Julian Assange – The Controversial Whistleblower And The Quest For Transparency – 16 February 2024
Julian Assange. The Australian-born computer programmer, journalist, and founder of WikiLeaks has become a focal point in debates over press freedom, government transparency, and cyber-security. His story is outlined in this paper, describing a complex web of political intrigue, legal battles, and ethical questions that continue to stir global discourse.
https://washingtonindependent.com/julian-assange/
A Whistleblower Protection Authority in Australia? – 18 February 2024
Transparency International and the Human Rights Centre have released draft principles for a whistleblower protection authority and there is hope that the Attorney-General’s Department, may look at it as part of current considerations for public sector reforms. This broadcast, looks at what whistleblowing protection authorities look like overseas, and what can Australia learn from them?
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sundayextra/whistleblowing-design-principles/103465754
F1 makes first statement on Red Bull investigation of Christian Horner – 19 February 2024
Red Bull is investigating its team principal Christian Horner, after allegations of workplace misconduct were made public. Horner has been subjected to a meeting with investigators, and further allegations made in Dutch media last week, allege the misconduct against a female employee may be sexual.
Kate McClymont on crime, corruption and courts – 19 February 2024
Kate has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She’s exposed corruption at the highest levels of politics, she’s also lead investigations into financial conwoman Melissa Caddick, high profile neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, High Court Judge Dyson Heydon, and media personalities Don Burke and Alan Jones. Listen to this interview on ABC talking about crime and corporate reporting.
A refresher on Australia’s whistleblower laws – 19 February 2024
It’s time for businesses to think about the year ahead and legal and compliance teams to look at updating their compliance policies and undertaking compliance training. This article will assist with a refresher on the whistleblower requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act).
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=86390711-e80e-48a9-89b7-6697f3b809b9
Federal Court finds NAB fraud secrecy claim has ‘air of a Kafka novel’ – 19 February 2024
The National Australia Bank falsely identified a Melbourne bullion dealer as a scammer and told his now “hysterical” customers they had purchased more than $600,000 in gold that was either fake or never existed.
After the dealer sued the bank, NAB argued the case should be kept secret from the public because of laws and regulations. The federal Court dismissed the company’s application for a suppression order. NAB has filed a defence and denies the allegations.
Australia holds Chinese man over suspected North Korea tobacco smuggling – 20 February 2024
A Chinese man is being held in Australia over his alleged role in a tobacco smuggling scheme that generated $700m for North Korea. Jin Guanghua now awaits extradition to the US, where he faces prosecution for a number of sanctions, bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy offences.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-68344790
Halls Creek Shire defends Olabud Doogethu Indigenous program amid investigation of ex-CEO Phillip Cassell – 20 February 2024
Halls Creek Shire has asked for community patience regarding an investigation into the former CEO(Phillip Cassell), over allegations of workplace misconduct. The controversy has sparked community backlash and calls for more transparency.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/halls-creek-ceo-phillip-cassell-investigation/103485554
Tool to prevent AI scams raised Aussies’ Tinder hit rates by 67pc – 21 February 2024
Tinder is expanding its identity verification program at a time when artificial intelligence can make it hard to tell who’s real and crime is rising on dating apps. The process requires a valid driver’s license or passport and a self-recorded video. A third-party vendor checks the birth date and whether the face in the video selfie matches the individual’s profile photos and ID.
Judge orders Trump to pay $355 million for lying about his wealth in staggering civil fraud ruling – 22 February 2024
A New York judge ordered Donald Trump to pay $355 million (€329.4 million) in penalties, finding that the former US president lied about his wealth for years in a sweeping civil fraud verdict that pierces his billionaire image but stops short of putting his real estate empire out of business.
Russian linked to Medibank hack reportedly detained for alleged cyber crimes – 22 February 2024
Russian man Aleksandr Ermakov, who was named responsible for the 2022 Medibank hack, has reportedly been detained in Russia over alleged cyber crimes. In January, the federal government named Mr Ermakov as the hacker responsible for the data breach in January, and used new cyber laws for the first time to lay financial sanctions on the Russian national. Australian intelligence has linked Mr Ermakov to the hacking syndicate REvil, a Russian cybercrime gang that supplies hacking tools to novices in return for a cut of any ransoms paid.
