ADF member ‘person of interest’ after video recorder found in HMAS Leeuwin women’s showers

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) member is a person of interest after a video recording device was discovered in a women's bathroom on HMAS Leeuwin, docked in Cairns. Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Matt Buckley described the incident as an "act of sexual violence" and a "despicable betrayal of trust." The Joint Military Police Unit is investigating, and the ADF member is assisting with their inquiries. The navy is conducting a review of all bathrooms across the fleet, and the wellbeing of impacted personnel is a priority. Defence Minister Richard Marles called the incident "reprehensible" and stated there is no place for such behavior in the ADF.

The Australian defence ministry is investigating the discovery of a video recording device in a cabin aboard the HMAS Leeuwin, which was docked in Cairns, Queensland. Senator Jacqui Lambie stated she received a message from a former navy member alleging that concealed cameras were found in the women's showers. The investigation aims to determine how the device was placed on the ship. The article does not specify when the device was discovered or the exact nature of the claims beyond the presence of cameras in showers.

The Defence Department has confirmed a video recording device was found in a cabin of the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns on October 11, 2026. This announcement followed Senator Jacqui Lambie's claims in parliament that a camera had been discovered in a women's shower on the vessel. The department stated that both military and civilian police are investigating the incident, and the ship remained alongside to facilitate the investigation and support the crew. Defence emphasized that they take the incident extremely seriously and are working with civilian authorities, but provided no further details regarding the device's exact location or whether any perpetrators have been identified. Senator Lambie expressed dissatisfaction with the department's response and raised concerns about potential footage distribution and the possibility of cameras on other naval vessels.