Security firm manager charged with menacing investigative journalist Nick McKenzie
A senior executive at a security company has been arrested after allegedly making threatening phone calls to investigative journalist Nick McKenzie on Christmas Eve.
A man has been charged with two counts of using a transport service with intent to threaten or cause a crime, Victoria Police said.
The MA Services company has been in the media spotlight throughout the year, with Mr McKenzie part of the team investigating the organisation.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald published details of alleged links between the company and the bikie gang, along with other accusations that its subcontractors had evaded taxes, among other accusations.
Patrick Elligett, editor of The Age, said: “Reporting about MA Services is undoubtedly in the public interest and journalists should be free to do this important work.”
The defendant, a national business development manager for MA Services Group, is due to go to trial next year.
The Age published details of the group’s “lucrative but controversial” contracts with various government agencies as well as major Australian companies including AFL clubs, Coles, Kmart and the University of Sydney.
The company went into voluntary administration on December 23, the day before the alleged phone calls took place.
In a separate incident this year, Mr McKenzie faced threatening behavior after a man broke into his home from the roof in what police believe was an attempt to disable CCTV cameras in October.
Mr McKenzie is an award-winning journalist who has won more than 25 Quill awards, including the prestigious Gold Quill.
He is also known for his role in exposing the alleged war crimes of Australian Victoria Cross Recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
The arrest came as part of Taskforce Hawk, which was established in 2024 to investigate criminal behavior linked to the construction industry.
The man will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26, 2026.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
