A member of the Australian Defence Force has been identified as a person of interest after a video recording device was found in the bathroom of a navy ship, prompting the nation’s navy chief to decry the incident as a “despicable betrayal of trust”.
Navy chief Matt Buckley said all bathrooms on the navy’s fleet of vessels would be inspected to ensure no other service members were exposed to a similar breach of privacy.
“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,” Admiral Buckley said in a statement to navy personnel on Thursday.
“Further, you should all know that eradicating sexual violence in our workplace is fundamental to the fighting efficiency of our Navy.”
Defence said in a statement: “An Australian Defence Force member has been identified as a person of interest in the investigation into a video recording device being located on Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin.
“This person is now assisting the Joint Military Police Unit with its enquiries.
“Navy’s focus and priority is providing support to those who are impacted by this incident.”
Buckley, who took over as the head of navy this year, said in his memo to staff: “To provide assurance to all personnel Fleet Commander is undertaking a 100% audit of all of our bathrooms across the Fleet.
“This act is the most despicable betrayal of trust and is fundamentally misaligned with our values.
“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.”
Defence Minister Richard Marles also condemned the behaviour, describing the incident as “reprehensible, invasive and is the most despicable breach of trust”.
“The Joint Military Police Unit is investigating this incident and Defence is working with civilian authorities,” Marles said on social media.
“There is no place for this behaviour in the Australian Defence Force. Our priority remains supporting the individuals who have been impacted.”
Defence announced on Wednesday that military police had launched an investigation into the discovery of a recording device in the cabin of a navy ship, raising concerns the military has not done enough to combat sexual assault and harassment.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie told the Senate earlier in the day she had received a letter from a person who said a device had been found in the ship’s female shower facilities.
“The sender told me that concealed cameras have recently been found in the female sailors’ shower facilities on the vessel HMAS Leeuwin,” Senator Lambie said on Wednesday.
“I was also told that this had occurred recently and had prevented the vessel from sailing while investigations were ongoing.”
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