Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, confirmed via media release this morning the man had died, and said the circumstances around his death would be “thoroughly investigated”.
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Security at the embassy is provided by contractors Unity Resources Group, which is based in Dubai and run by former Australian special forces soldiers.
Another employee of URG, a former Australian commando, is reportedly being questioned about the incident.
The new embassy building was initially guarded by ADF troops but with the withdrawal of all Australian forces from Iraq, URG was hired to provide security. “All appropriate assistance is being provided to his family”, she said.
Australia’s embassy in Baghdad is at the centre of a major investigation after an Australian security contractor was shot dead.
Ms Bishop refuses to comment, saying a thorough investigation is under way.
“But I can confirm that his death is not related to the broader security environment in Baghdad”.
URG did not respond to requests for comment about the shooting.
Earlier there were reports of shots being fired at the embassy.
They had also created an extra security risk, he said at the time, adding there was no additional risk to the embassy during the transition from a company whose contract had expired to a new security provider.
In 2006, Australian Army Pte Jake Kovco died from a gunshot wound to the head while part of a security detachment at the Baghdad embassy.
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The Iraqi capital has been rocked by bombings in recent days.
