A concealed video recording device was located in a cabin aboard the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin near Cairns, Queensland, on Sunday. The Australian Defence Force confirmed the discovery after Senator Jacqui Lambie, a former veteran and defence advocate, raised concerns in Parliament about concealed cameras in female sailors’ shower facilities.
Lambie told the Senate that personnel had informed her of the devices and that the ship had been prevented from sailing while investigations were underway. She added that footage from the cameras may have been uploaded online before the devices were found, raising questions about how many sailors were unknowingly recorded and how much footage had been distributed.
The Defence Department said it was aware of the device but did not disclose the exact location within the cabin. It stated that the incident was being investigated by the Joint Military Police and that the ship remained alongside to support crew welfare. The department also noted that it could not provide further details to protect the privacy of affected individuals.
Defence officials emphasized that the incident was taken very seriously and that unacceptable behaviour would not be tolerated. Support for the crew continues as the investigation proceeds.
