A hidden device was found on an Australian Navy ship. Fallout is being felt across the fleet

The discovery of a video recording device hidden in the women’s shower block of an Australian Navy ship has been described as a “despicable betrayal of trust” and prompted calls for cultural change in the military.

A defence spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member had been identified as a person of interest after a video recording device was found on the HMAS Leeuwin in Cairns in far north Queensland.

“This person is now assisting the Joint Military Police Unit with its inquiries,” the spokesperson said, adding that “Navy’s focus and priority is providing support to those who are impacted by this incident.”

The department earlier said it’s taking the incident “extremely seriously” and there was no tolerance for such behaviour.

Here’s what we know so far.

What happened?

On Wednesday morning, federal senator Jacqui Lambie alleged in parliament that a camera had been found hidden in a women’s shower on the vessel while it was docked in Cairns.

That afternoon, the Department of Defence released a statement confirming a device had been found in a cabin three days earlier and an investigation was underway.

Navy Vice Admiral Matt Buckley later said the incident was being taken seriously and bathrooms across the entire fleet were being checked.

“This act is the most despicable betrayal of trust and is fundamentally misaligned with our values,” he said in a statement.

“We will not, however, be defined by acts of this nature. Our Navy is one where highly professional warfighters must rely day in, day out on their shipmates. Anything that undermines the trust and respect we need for one another will not be tolerated.

“You have my assurance and commitment that we will tackle this act of sexual violence with all of our energy.

“Any perpetrator will be held to account. Further, you should all know that eradicating sexual violence in our workplace is fundamental to the fighting efficiency of our Navy. I invite all of you to make this your priority.”

What has the reaction been?

Before the ADF publicly confirmed the incident, Lambie — a former Army member and defence advocate — told the Senate she’d been tipped off by a former Navy member.

“I was also told this had occurred recently and prevented the vessel from sailing while investigations were ongoing,” she said.

“Even more disturbing are claims that footage from these cameras may have been uploaded online before the cameras were discovered.

“How many of our female sailors have unknowingly been recorded in their most private moments? How much footage has been distributed online so far, retained or uploaded without knowledge or consent?

“These are the questions I ask the Navy today.”

Lambie later said she was unhappy with defence’s response and called for an independent body to be set up to investigate.

“This is a culture that, unfortunately, defence has not been able to clean up, and it hasn’t even come close,” she told ABC TV on Thursday.

“The only way to fix this problem is to take the legal system outside of defence’s hands.

“Their job is to fight in a war … and they don’t deal with this very well when it comes to the legal system.”

She said others had come forward alleging similar incidents in recent months.

What happens next?

No charges have been laid yet, but the incident has already prompted calls for cultural change within the military.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said one in five ADF personnel were women and they needed to be treated with respect and dignity.

“The culture has to change to accommodate that,” he said, noting it was a key finding from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The commission’s 2024 final report found systemic bullying, abuse, sexual violence and an entrenched “code of silence” were linked to high rates of suicide within the ADF.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said women had a right to feel safe at work.

“I really feel for all of the people who are on that ship who are learning this and the people that may have been victims of this act,” she told ABC TV on Thursday.

“You deserve to be safe in your workplace, and the rise of tech-facilitated abuse, particularly upon women, is horrific.”

Greens leader David Shoebridge described the incident as “incredibly concerning”.

“We know many women aren’t feeling safe inside defence spaces, and again we say to Labor: You’ve got to restore faith with defence personnel, you’ve got to make women and other people feel safe in defence spaces,” he said.

Defence Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office: 1800 SEMPRO (1800 736 776)

Defence All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036

Defence Member and Family Helpline: 1800 624 608

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