An Australian Defence Force member has been identified as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation after a video recording device was discovered inside a bathroom facility aboard the naval vessel HMAS Leeuwin. The development follows disclosures made in the Senate by independent senator Jacqui Lambie regarding a hidden camera found in a female shower area while the ship was docked in Cairns.
The Department of Defence confirmed that the matter was promptly referred to the Joint Military Police Unit. Vice Admiral Matt Buckley, the chief of Navy, issued a statement characterizing the incident as an act of sexual violence and a profoundly despicable betrayal of trust. Buckley announced that the Navy is executing a complete, hundred-percent audit of all bathroom facilities across the entire fleet.
Following the initial discovery, the ship's operational schedule was adjusted to accommodate a swift and thorough inquiry by military police. Defense Minister Richard Marles also addressed the situation publicly, describing the act as reprehensible and invasive, while affirming that officials are monitoring the investigation closely and prioritizing the welfare of affected personnel.
Senator Lambie had previously raised concerns in Parliament regarding whether any captured imagery had been disseminated online or uploaded without the knowledge and consent of the female sailors involved. In response to the breach, Navy leadership deployed the warrant officer of the Navy to Cairns to ensure that all potentially impacted personnel receive comprehensive support and assistance during the investigation.