Navy member stood down over cabin recording device

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:01 · Archive

A Navy member has been stood down with pay after a video recording device was found in an all-female cabin on HMAS Leeuwin.

A video recording device was found in an all-female cabin of HMAS Leeuwin while docked in Cairns on 11 October. A Navy member was identified as a suspect and stood down with pay. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley confirmed the action on Monday, defending the continued payment as a 'normal convention' when an investigation is ongoing.

The Joint Military Police Unit, Defence and the Australian Federal Police are investigating the incident. Defence described taking it 'extremely seriously' and stated it did not tolerate 'unacceptable behaviour in any form'. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the government held a 'very strong view' that the behaviour was 'reprehensible' and 'undermined the dignity and privacy of Royal Australian Navy personnel'.

Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, a veteran, revealed details of the incident after being contacted by a former Navy member. She told the upper house that the discovery had prevented the vessel from sailing while investigations continued. She also raised concerns that 'footage from these cameras may have been uploaded online before the cameras were discovered'. However, Vice Admiral Buckley said there was no evidence at that stage that material had been shared.

How it is being reported

• Navy member stood down over recording deviceA person being investigated for planting a device on a naval vessel has been stood down but is still being paid.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 04:39
• Navy member stood down with pay over recording device found in all-female cabin of HMAS LeeuwinA person being investigated for planting a device on a naval vessel has been stood down but is still being paid.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 04:39

In this story: Royal Australian Navy · HMAS Leeuwin · Matthew Buckley · Pat Conroy · Jacqui Lambie · Cairns

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