Video recording device found in cabin of HMAS Leeuwin navy ship in Cairns

A “video recording device” was found in the cabin of a Royal Australian Navy ship in Cairns, the defence department has revealed, just hours after senator Jacqui Lambie alleged in parliament that a camera had been found concealed in a women’s shower on the vessel.

The department confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that a device had been found aboard the HMAS Leeuwin three days earlier. In a statement after Guardian Australia had contacted the department for response to Lambie’s allegations, a spokesperson said police were investigating, but did not reveal further details about where the device was located.

“On 11 October 2026, Defence became aware that a video recording device had been located in the cabin of Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin, while alongside in Cairns, Queensland,” they said.

“The incident was referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and Defence is working with civilian authorities. Defence takes this incident extremely seriously and does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any form.”

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

“The sender told me that concealed cameras have recently been found in the female sailors’ showers facilities on the vessel HMAS Leeuwin, based in Cairns,” she said in the Senate.

“I was also told this had occurred recently and prevented the vessel from sailing while investigations were ongoing. 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 today I ask Navy.”

Guardian Australia asked the department if any perpetrator had been identified, if the defence force was aware of hidden cameras being found in other navy facilities, and if any such footage from hidden cameras had been found to have been shared online.

The department did not directly answer those questions. In its statement, it said HMAS Leeuwin had “remained alongside to enable the investigation and ensure immediate support was provided to members of the ship’s crew”.

“The welfare of individuals remains Defence’s priority, and support is ongoing. As the matter is currently under investigation and to protect the privacy of the affected individuals, Defence is unable to provide further comment at this time,” it said.

Asked at a subsequent press conference about the incident, Lambie said she was unhappy with the department’s response.

“Defence needs to know this. Your people had a gutful, and if there was abuse going on, they’re now coming to me. OK, I’m right on their tail. Enough is enough. Get control of what is going on in the defence force,” she said.

“What I want to know is, have they gone around on the rest of those boats, the subs, whatever, and had a look and make sure there’s no other cameras? Because we are not sure whether it’s coming from contractors that go on them, or whether it’s come from defence members.”