Australia's antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, has hired Scott Morrison's former principal adviser on a $200,000 contract without a public tender process, sparking questions over procurement rules. The 12-month deal with Society Advisory Pty Ltd, founded by Yaron Finkelstein, runs until April 2027 and coincides with the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion.
Department of Home Affairs officials defended the limited tender, citing an 'absence of competition for technical reasons'. They argued that Finkelstein's firm possessed unique expertise in antisemitism within the Australian context, which could not be provided by any other business. The contract covers strategic communications, media engagement, and preparation of briefing materials.
Independent Senator David Pocock grilled officials during Senate estimates, noting the department already has a communications unit with over 100 staff. 'This seems highly unusual,' Pocock said. 'A $200,000 tender that just goes straight to someone who worked for the former prime minister. Not an actual, what most Australians would consider, a tender process.'
Finkelstein, a former director of political consultancy Crosby Textor, served as Morrison's principal private secretary until the 2022 federal election and later as special counsel to former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. The contract was approved by the department's chief procurement officer but did not require sign-off from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
Officials confirmed that no other firms were approached for the role. The limited tender was justified under procurement rules allowing such processes when 'goods and services can be supplied only by a particular business'. The controversy follows a similar case in March, when Segal's specialist reviewer Greg Craven was appointed after an open tender process received no responses.
