The Claim
“Kicked 10 Save The Children workers off Nauru, despite the government having no evidence to support their allegations of sexual and physical assault by the workers against detainees.”
Original Sources Provided
✅ FACTUAL VERIFICATION
The core facts are substantively accurate.
In October 2014, the Department of Immigration ordered Save the Children to remove 10 staff members from Nauru [1]. Nine were subsequently deported; one had already left the island [2]. The workers had reported allegations of sexual abuse against women and children at the detention centre, including claims that women were forced to exchange sexual favours with guards for shower access [3].
The Moss Review, led by former Integrity Commissioner Philip Moss and commissioned by the Australian government, was released in March 2015 [4]. It explicitly found "no information to prove" allegations that Save the Children staff had encouraged refugees to self-harm or manipulated abuse allegations [5]. The report stated: "there was no information... that conclusively indicates Save the Children staff engaged in these activities" [6].
Immigration Department Secretary Mike Pezullo confirmed in March 2015: "The report does not find any conclusive evidence that the Save The Children employees in any way actively encouraged protest activity or the like" [7]. The Department subsequently accepted all 19 recommendations, including reviewing the decision to remove the staff [8].
In January 2017, the Department of Immigration issued a formal statement of regret and paid compensation to the nine workers [9]. The statement acknowledged it "had no reason to cause doubt to be cast on the SCA employees' reputation" and regretted "any hurt and embarrassment caused" [10]. Professor Christopher Doogan's subsequent review determined the dismissals were ordered "for political reasons on no evidence or reliable information" [11].
Missing Context
The claim omits important context about the broader situation.
The Moss Review did confirm genuine instances of sexual assault and abuse at the Nauru detention centre, including rapes, sexual assault of minors, and guards trading drugs for sexual favours [12]. The review documented serious systemic failures in the management of the centre, which the Immigration Department acknowledged required significant overhaul [13].
The workers were removed after making abuse allegations that the government initially treated as suspect. While the allegations against Save The Children staff proved unfounded, the underlying abuse they reported was substantiated by the same Moss Review [14].
The dismissal was ordered in October 2014 by the Immigration Department, with then-Immigration Minister Scott Morrison stating his information suggested "there may have been a level of coaching and facilitation" [15]. However, the government never produced evidence to support these suspicions [16].
Source Credibility Assessment
The original source is New Matilda, an Australian independent online publication. According to Media Bias/Fact Check, New Matilda is described as "left-wing independent Australian website" with a left-leaning editorial stance [17]. It is not a mainstream news outlet (like ABC, SMH, or The Guardian) but rather an advocacy-oriented independent publication. The article is factually accurate regarding the Moss Review findings, but readers should note the source's left-wing orientation when assessing potential framing [18].
The claim's core facts are corroborated by multiple mainstream sources including ABC News [19], The Sydney Morning Herald [20], The Guardian [21], and Radio New Zealand [22], all of which reported substantially the same facts about the Moss Review clearing the Save the Children workers.
Labor Comparison
Did Labor do something similar?
Search conducted: "Labor government Nauru detention centre staff removed allegations"
Critical context on offshore detention policy:
The Nauru detention centre was not created by the Coalition. The "Pacific Solution" was originally implemented by the Howard government in 2001 with bipartisan support from the Labor opposition at the time [23]. The Labor government under Kevin Rudd closed Nauru in 2007-2008 [24].
However, in August 2012, the Labor government under Julia Gillard reopened offshore processing on Nauru and Manus Island [25]. When the Coalition took office in September 2013, they were inheriting a detention system that Labor had re-established just one year prior.
Labor's record on detention centre management:
During Labor's management of Nauru (August 2012 - September 2013), there were also serious incidents, including riots that caused extensive damage [26]. The 2012 Nauru riots under Labor's watch resulted in significant injuries and property destruction [27]. Both parties have faced criticism for conditions in offshore detention facilities.
Key distinction: There is no direct equivalent of Labor removing aid workers based on unsubstantiated allegations. However, the broader context is that both major Australian parties have implemented and maintained offshore detention policies with documented problems.
Balanced Perspective
What the full story reveals:
While the Coalition government acted improperly by removing Save The Children staff without evidence, the context is important:
Genuine abuse was occurring: The Moss Review substantiated serious sexual and physical abuse allegations at the Nauru detention centre, including guards trading marijuana for sexual favours and assaults on minors [28]. The Save the Children workers who were removed had been documenting these real problems [29].
Administrative failure: The government's decision to remove the workers appears to have been a reaction to their reporting of abuse rather than legitimate concerns about their conduct. Professor Doogan found the dismissals were politically motivated [30].
Eventual accountability: The Department accepted all Moss Review recommendations, paid compensation, and issued a formal statement of regret [31].
Bipartisan policy context: Offshore detention has been supported by both parties. The Coalition was operating a system that Labor had reopened in 2012. Both governments have faced serious criticism regarding conditions in these facilities [32].
Scott Morrison's response: Unlike the Department's eventual apology, then-Immigration Minister Scott Morrison refused to apologize personally, maintaining his actions were based on information available at the time [33]. This political positioning is important context.
TRUE
7.0
out of 10
The claim is factually accurate. The Coalition government did remove 10 Save the Children workers from Nauru in October 2014, and the subsequent Moss Review (March 2015) found no evidence to support the allegations against them. The workers were ultimately compensated and the Department issued a formal statement of regret. Professor Doogan's review further found the dismissals were politically motivated "on no evidence."
However, the claim presents this incident without broader context about the genuine abuse problems at the Nauru facility (which the same Moss Review confirmed), the Labor government's role in reopening offshore detention in 2012, and the bipartisan nature of Australia's offshore detention policy.
Final Score
7.0
OUT OF 10
TRUE
The claim is factually accurate. The Coalition government did remove 10 Save the Children workers from Nauru in October 2014, and the subsequent Moss Review (March 2015) found no evidence to support the allegations against them. The workers were ultimately compensated and the Department issued a formal statement of regret. Professor Doogan's review further found the dismissals were politically motivated "on no evidence."
However, the claim presents this incident without broader context about the genuine abuse problems at the Nauru facility (which the same Moss Review confirmed), the Labor government's role in reopening offshore detention in 2012, and the bipartisan nature of Australia's offshore detention policy.
📚 SOURCES & CITATIONS (17)
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1
abc.net.au
A long-awaited immigration report into allegations of sexual assault at the refugee detention centre on Nauru recommends a string of changes to the way the centre operates.
Abc Net -
2
theguardian.com
Immigration department also expresses regret to nine workers who were deported amid false allegations they had coached asylum seekers to self-harm
the Guardian -
3
smh.com.au
An independent review into sexual abuse inside Australia's detention centre on Nauru has found evidence of rape, sexual assault of minors and guards trading marijuana for sexual favours from female detainees.
The Sydney Morning Herald -
4
asyluminsight.com
Asylum Insight
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5
newmatilda.com
On the same day the Coalition lost an elder statesman who spoke out about his party’s treatment of refugees, the Department of Immigration has released an independent report highlighting allegations of sexual and physical abuse on Nauru and recommending the government review a decision to remove 10 Save the Children staff from the island. InMore
New Matilda -
6
abc.net.au
The Immigration Department pays compensation and publishes a statement of regret to nine Save the Children workers who were removed from the offshore processing centre of Nauru.
Abc Net -
7
theguardian.com
An independent report says the sacked workers are entitled to compensation after being dismissed on ‘no evidence or reliable information
the Guardian -
8
rnz.co.nz
The Nauru government says it is disappointed in the service providers at the Australian-run asylum seeker detention camps in the wake of the Moss review.
RNZ -
9
thewire.org.au
The government has reviewed their decision to remove ten Save the Children staff from the asylum seeker detention centre in...
The Wire -
10
mediabiasfactcheck.com
LEFT BIAS These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may
Media Bias/Fact Check -
11
en.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia
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12
smh.com.au
The Save the Children staff who were falsely accused of encouraging self-harm are suing the government.
The Sydney Morning Herald -
13
en.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia -
14
asyluminsight.com
Asylum Insight
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15
rac-vic.org
Refugee Action Collective (Vic) | Free the refugees! Let them land, let them stay! -
16
bbc.co.uk
A inquiry into reports of sexual abuse at Australia's asylum camp in Nauru finds "credible" claims of assault, harassment and rape.
BBC News -
17
theguardian.com
Treasurer denies he ever accused aid workers of coaching asylum seekers on Nauru to self-harm
the Guardian
Rating Scale Methodology
1-3: FALSE
Factually incorrect or malicious fabrication.
4-6: PARTIAL
Some truth but context is missing or skewed.
7-9: MOSTLY TRUE
Minor technicalities or phrasing issues.
10: ACCURATE
Perfectly verified and contextually fair.
Methodology: Ratings are determined through cross-referencing official government records, independent fact-checking organizations, and primary source documents.