An inquest into the death of a security contractor at Australia’s embassy in Iraq has heard a nurse raised concerns about the contractors with the ambassador.

November 7, 2019

A former nurse at the Australian Embassy in Iraq raised concerns with the ambassador about their Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-appointed security firm prior to a bodyguard’s death, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Betts, 34, was a private security contractor with the United Resources Group at the Baghdad embassy when he shot himself in the head on May 12, 2016, the Brisbane Coroners Court has heard.

Australian Federal Police found his gunshot wound was self-inflicted but were unable to determine if the death was caused by misadventure or suicide.

He died after a night of drinking with fellow security contractor, Sun McKay, in the embassy living quarters

Mr Betts picked up Mr McKay’s loaded Glock 17 pistol, held it to his head saying: “It’s time to play clear or not clear”, then pulled the trigger, Mr McKay has told investigators.

Former URG nurse Tanya Ferrai told the inquest on Thursday she became concerned about the company’s management at the Baghdad compound in 2015.

She said URG management altered and deleted medical and security records, did not have adequate mental health screening in place, and contractors were using drugs and alcohol, which was forbidden.

“Fraudulent qualifications of medics and security personnel were also being ignored … (there were) insufficient background checks,” she said.

Ms Ferrai said she was also worried about URG management’s refusal to show medical staff proof that the company had medical indemnity insurance. 

She also said the clinic was not up to Australian standards.

“The health and safety of URG staff were basically compromised, which nearly resulted in the death of numerous staff members,” she said.

She alleged there were weapons handling and storage breaches, one of which resulted in a live round being fired inside the embassy.

When asked by Counsel-Assisting the Coroner, Sarah Lane, Ms Ferrai confirmed she had warned URG management that a serious injury or death would occur if they did not address the issues.

She said when she told senior management about the issues, including chief executive officer, Wayne Turley, she was ignored and told not to put anything in email form.

Ms Ferrai said after URG managers told her to drop her concerns and threatened to sack her, she took her concerns to DFAT staff and eventually to an acting ambassador, who she did not name, in early 2016.

“She listened to what I had to say and she said she was going to escalate the matter,” Ms Ferrai said.

Ms Ferrai said she knows the ambassador, who was only there for a few weeks, raised the issues.

That’s because URG management then began intimidating her and her work emails were deleted.

“It was horrendous, which is why I got out – I resigned,” she said.

She said during her meeting with the ambassador, the woman begged her not to resign and became teary after hearing the allegations.

The inquest continues.