ADF member identified as person of interest in HMAS Leeuwin recording device inquiry
Defence says an Australian Defence Force member is assisting military police after a recording device was found aboard the Navy ship in Cairns. The Navy has ordered an audit of bathrooms across its fleet.
On 15 October, Defence said an Australian Defence Force member had been identified as a person of interest in the investigation into a video recording device found aboard HMAS Leeuwin while the Navy ship was docked in Cairns. The member was assisting the Joint Military Police Unit with its inquiries. Navy chief Vice Admiral Matt Buckley has ordered an audit of bathrooms across the fleet in response to the incident.
ABC News reported that the device was discovered on 11 October in the ship’s women’s bathroom. The Guardian reported that Buckley described its location as one of the ship’s bathrooms, although Defence had earlier said it was found in a cabin. The device’s precise location remains unclear from those accounts.
Navy orders audit of fleet bathrooms
Buckley announced a 100% audit of bathrooms across the Navy’s fleet. He said HMAS Leeuwin’s program had been changed to allow the Joint Military Police Unit to investigate rapidly. Defence said supporting personnel affected by the incident was a priority, and Buckley said potentially affected personnel were receiving support.
Buckley called the incident an act of sexual violence and a serious betrayal of trust. Defence Minister Richard Marles described it as reprehensible and invasive and said he was receiving updates on the investigation. Defence has identified the person of interest only as an ADF member; the investigation has not established that person’s culpability.
Questions raised in the Senate
Senator Jacqui Lambie brought the matter before the Senate after, she said, a former Navy member contacted her about a camera allegedly found aboard the ship. Defence subsequently confirmed that a recording device had been located. Lambie asked whether images had been distributed or uploaded; it was not immediately clear whether the device had captured images or whether any had been shared.
ABC News reported that Lambie called for an independent body outside Defence to handle the matter. The broadcaster also reported that Opposition Leader Angus Taylor called the incident unacceptable and said he could not speak to how widespread it was. Communications Minister Anika Wells described it as horrible and expressed concern for people aboard the ship and possible victims, ABC reported.
A royal commission that concluded in 2024 found that sexual misconduct remained a systemic issue across the Australian armed forces, according to an Agence France-Presse report published by The Straits Times.
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Sources and context
- ADF member ‘person of interest’ after video recorder found in HMAS Leeuwin women’s showersThe Guardian
- Person of interest identified in 'despicable' recording device incident on navy shipABC News
- Australia navy investigating video camera found in ship bathroomAgence France-Presse (republished by The Straits Times)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.