A review has been launched into contracts covering Australia’s immigration detention, amid an escalating push to have disturbing allegations examined by the new national anti-corruption body.

Mr Albanese announced the review in Question Time on Monday.

It came after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he was happy for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the claims, while blasting the whole allegations as “a stunt”.

Mr Dutton, who has been overseas on leave for three weeks, has been under fire over his role as home affairs minister under the former Coalition government.

Nine newspapers reported last week on documents tabled in parliament which showed the Australian Federal Police told Mr Dutton in July 2018 that Sydney-based Mozammil Bhojani was under investigation over suspected bribes to Nauruan politicians.

The payments were made to secure preferential access to millions of dollars worth of phosphate for Mr Bhojani’s company Radiance International.

Despite the advice, the Department of Home Affairs entered into a fresh $9.3 million contract with Radiance to provide accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers.

A month after the contract was signed, police arrested Mr Bhojani and charged him with paying bribes to two Nauruan officials. He pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2020.

Mr Albanese said last week that Mr Dutton “needs to explain” why the department he once administered signed contracts with a man under investigation for bribery.

On Monday, there was a further push for a referral to the NACC or a royal commission, with independent MP Zoe Daniel adding her voice to fellow independent Kylea Tink.

“I and others on the crossbench have called for a royal commission into offshore processing,” Ms Daniel said in parliament on Monday.

“We learn that the Department of Home Affairs continues to award contracts involving millions of taxpayers’ money, despite being warned by the AFP that the businessman involved was under investigation for bribery. He was subsequently charged and convicted. Will the Prime Minister refer this matter to NACC or a broader independent
inquiry into offshore processing?”

In response, Mr Albanese confirmed the review. He said it would be led by former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade head Dennis Richardson and would “consider the serious issues” that had emerged.

“I say this not about the specific but the general: We need to avoid the idea that every politician will say, refer to the NACC. It will … operate independently at arm’s length,” he said.

“[We must] avoid the temptation to say it will be referred to the NACC at every issue that is reached.”

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said she had asked her department to look into the contracts.

“In terms of historic allegations it is absolutely clear, there are serious allegations and there is serious money involved,” she said.

Earlier on Monday, a defiant Mr Dutton said he was happy to co-sign, with Mr Albanese, a letter of referral to the NACC.

“If there are allegations, then refer them to the NACC,” he said.

“But refer them back to the period of 2012 when the procurement arrangements were put in place [and Labor was in government].”

But he also aimed a warning at the government.

“I’d be happy to cooperate, but it’s a complete stunt,” he said.

“If the working relationship now is so dysfunctional between the Minister for Home Affairs and the secretary, that’s a matter for the Prime Minister to resolve.”

Mr Dutton said he had checked his records for a briefing he allegedly received but could not find anything.

“As minister I had no involvement whatsoever in relation to the contract negotiations, the execution of the agreements, and that’s true for all the predecessors,” he said.

“I have nothing to hide.”

-with AAP