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Hello Diane
We are aware that The Star Casino is a sponsor of the upcoming ARIA awards, due to be decided on 23 November 2014. We are also aware that the ARIA ceremony and event will be conduced at the Star Casino on this date.
It has come to our attention, and we now draw it to yours, that the multiple ARIA award nominee band Sheppard is managed by a person named Gregory James Sheppard, who is a Director of a management company named Empire of Song. This company shares the Australian management rights for Sheppard with Chugg Entertainment, a company run by Michael Chugg, who is closely associated with convicted drug trafficker and prison escapee Ian Saxon Hall.
Gregory James Sheppard is also the Director of a company named Wilson Protective Services (PNG) Ltd. This company is responsible for the security and welfare functions of the Manus Island Offshore Processing Centre, otherwise known as the Manus Island Detention Centre. Under the terms of a sub-contract agreement with a company named Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd the company owned by Mr Sheppard run the Manus Island detention center from day to day.
During the past 12 months it has been widely reported that staff employed by Mr Sheppard’s company have been alleged to have sexually, physically and mentally abuse detainees at the center. Employees of the company are also have alleged to have threatened to rape detainees who may speak out against the abuse. At least one detainee on the island has died, and their are ongoing (but to date unproven) allegations that his death was at least in part a result of neglect by those charged with protecting the detainees welfare and security.
The story of the role of Sheppard’s manager is about to break internationally, and a number of performers at the awards ceremony have indicated that they are prepared to take a public stand in support of the rights of asylum seekers. Obviously this will present challenges for Star Casino, and we would like to offer you an advance opportunity to state a public position before the story breaks. We have no control over the timing of publication, realise that the window of opportunity is short.
We therefore alert you to the imminent publication; seek your comment on the appropriateness of Sheppard’s participation in the awards ceremony; and invite you to make public comment regarding the issue.
Full details of the allegations subject to publication may be found at http://www.manusleaks.wordpress.com
Regards
The Manus Leaks Team
Manusleaks 