From Andrew O’Keefe to accused drug boss: Controversial rehab centre’s uncertain future

After the Herald revealed concerns about the adequacy of treatment and supervision at Connect Global, particularly access to alcohol and mobile phones in contravention of bail conditions, the attorney-general’s department began an urgent inquiry.

It also wrote to legal associations in mid-December, alerting the state’s solicitors and barristers to the allegations. “It was a matter of when, not if, something like this happened,” one criminal lawyer, close to Connect Global bail cases, told the Herald.

Chamas had been at the facility for a year and a half before allegedly fleeing in contravention of his bail conditions on January 8. People close to him had provided a $3.65 million surety, and he wore an ankle bracelet.

Connect Global staff said Chamas appeared to have given rehab staff forged documents with a NSW Supreme Court letterhead, suggesting the court would let him return to Sydney for a few days while conferencing with his lawyers.

A warrant was issued for his arrest. On Tuesday, Chamas’ barrister, Carolyn Davenport SC, told the court her client had been arrested by the Australian Federal Police in Gove, a remote peninsula on the furthest tip of Arnhem Land.

He was expected to front Darwin Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Chamas’ alleged escape has intensified concerns about Connect Global. Directors are exploring whether the rehab will be shut down and reopened or sold off. It won a protracted court battle with council for permission to operate late last year.

The opposition’s justice spokesman, Alister Henskens, called for the attorney-general’s investigation into Connect Global to be hastened, as the allegations raised serious questions about community safety and the administration of justice in NSW.

“It is essential that the attorney-general requires the investigation to be concluded immediately,” he said. “It’s unfair to both the community and the judiciary if there is any delay in determining the truth of the alleged deficiencies at the facility.

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“If confirmed, it will be incumbent upon the prosecutor in each case to immediately bring the true circumstances to the court’s attention because it will probably be a material change in the information before the court when bail with conditions was granted.”

Port Stephens councillor Giacomo Arnott, who is concerned about the facility’s impact on residents, called on prosecutors and courts to review the bail conditions of the remaining men.

“The local community would no doubt appreciate a second set of eyes on this issue, to ensure community safety is prioritised and guaranteed by the state,” he said.

Greens justice spokeswoman Sue Higginson also raised concerns about the lack of oversight of the NSW private rehabilitation sector, an option many desperate people were forced to consider because public investment in rehab was so low.

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She questioned how NSW, with its longstanding emphasis on law and order, could have such a cavalier approach to overseeing rehabilitation for those in the justice system.

“The more you look into it, the more you see how fraught the private rehab sector is,” she said. “There’s an entire system with no accountability, no oversight and no investment. It’s a very dark spot.”

Attorney-General Michael Daley was contacted for comment. A NSW Police spokeswoman said queries about bail conditions should be directed to the courts.

Late last year, the pastor who founded Connect Global about 10 years ago, Ross Pene – also affiliated with the Hillsong and C3 churches – left for New Zealand to care for a sick family member. Staff now say Pene has “retired” from Connect Global as its future hangs in the balance, and an interim boss is running the facility. Pene was contacted for comment but did not reply.

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