'Cowboy industry': public servants warned about using security guards in Victoria's hotels

Messages warning about security companies tabled at hotel quarantine inquiry as department heads deny responsibility

Victorian public servants tasked with recruiting private security firms for hotel quarantine warned of potential issues with the cowboy industry" and guards potentially going rogue.

Sent over WhatsApp, the messages included warnings to be careful with security companies". The messages were tabled in the hotel quarantine inquiry on Tuesday during questioning of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) secretary, Simon Phemister.