Video recording system present in cabin of HMAS Leeuwin navy ship in Cairns | Royal Australian Navy

A “video recording system” was discovered within the cabin of a Royal Australian Navy ship in Cairns, the defence division has revealed, simply hours after senator Jacqui Lambie alleged in parliament {that a} digicam had been discovered hid in a ladies’s bathe on the vessel.

The division confirmed on Wednesday afternoon {that a} system had been discovered aboard the HMAS Leeuwin three days earlier. In an announcement after Guardian Australia had contacted the division for response to Lambie’s allegations, a spokesperson mentioned police had been investigating, however didn’t reveal additional particulars about the place the system was positioned.

“On 11 October 2026, Defence turned conscious {that a} video recording system had been positioned within the cabin of Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin, whereas alongside in Cairns, Queensland,” they mentioned.

“The incident was referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and Defence is working with civilian authorities. Defence takes this incident extraordinarily significantly and doesn’t tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any type.”

On Wednesday morning, Lambie – an ADF veteran and advocate for defence personnel – advised the Senate that she’d been contacted by a former member of the navy with allegations a few digicam being discovered aboard HMAS Leeuwin.

“The sender advised me that hid cameras have just lately been discovered within the feminine sailors’ showers services on the vessel HMAS Leeuwin, primarily based in Cairns,” she mentioned within the Senate.

“I used to be additionally advised this had occurred just lately and prevented the vessel from crusing whereas investigations had been ongoing. Even extra disturbing are claims that footage from these cameras could have been uploaded on-line earlier than the cameras had been found.

“How a lot of our feminine sailors have unknowingly been recorded of their most non-public moments? How a lot footage has been distributed on-line to this point, retained or uploaded with out data or consent? These are the questions right this moment I ask Navy.”

Guardian Australia requested the division if any perpetrator had been recognized, if the defence pressure was conscious of hidden cameras being present in different navy services, and if any such footage from hidden cameras had been discovered to have been shared on-line.

The division didn’t straight reply these questions. In its assertion, it mentioned HMAS Leeuwin had “remained alongside to allow the investigation and guarantee rapid help was offered to members of the ship’s crew”.

“The welfare of people stays Defence’s precedence, and help is ongoing. As the matter is presently underneath investigation and to guard the privateness of the affected people, Defence is unable to offer additional remark presently,” it mentioned.

Asked at a subsequent press convention in regards to the incident, Lambie mentioned she was sad with the division’s response.

“Defence must know this. Your folks had a gutful, and if there was abuse happening, they’re now coming to me. OK, I’m proper on their tail. Enough is sufficient. Get management of what’s going on within the defence pressure,” she mentioned.

“What I wish to know is, have they gone round on the remainder of these boats, the subs, no matter, and had a glance and ensure there’s no different cameras? Because we’re not positive whether or not it’s coming from contractors that go on them, or whether or not it’s come from defence members.”