Australian Navy member is stood down with pay after secret camera is found in female showers on board ship
An Australian Navy member has been stood down with pay after a video recording device was found in the showers of an all-female cabin aboard HMAS Leeuwin. The discovery, made while the ship was docked in Cairns, is under investigation and has renewed scrutiny of how the armed forces address sexual harassment and privacy.
The device was found on 11 October, and the unnamed person identified as a suspect was stood down, Navy chief Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley said. The Joint Military Police Unit and Defence are investigating with assistance from the Australian Federal Police; authorities have not confirmed claims that footage may have been uploaded online. Buckley said pay is normally maintained during an investigation, while Defence and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy condemned the alleged conduct. A lawyer who has advised military personnel called for consent training to include practical scenarios and clear explanations of legal consequences.
- Navy member stood down with pay during an investigation.
- Recording device found in female showers aboard HMAS Leeuwin.
- Defence and police are investigating the discovery.
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HMAS Leeuwin is a Royal Australian Navy training ship, and its crew includes women who live and work aboard. Privacy in shared facilities such as showers is a matter of safety and trust for service members.
The Navy is part of Australia’s Defence Force, which has its own investigators as well as links to civilian police. Allegations of sexual misconduct in the military have prompted scrutiny of how complaints are handled and how personnel are taught about consent and privacy.
The person stood down is a suspect, and the investigation will establish what happened. Being stood down with pay is a temporary measure during an inquiry and does not determine whether an offence occurred.