Recording device found aboard HMAS Leeuwin

The Australian Department of Defence says a video recording device was found aboard HMAS Leeuwin while the Royal Australian Navy vessel was docked in Cairns on October 11. Defence referred the matter to the Joint Military Police Unit and is working with civilian authorities as an investigation proceeds. Defence said it became aware of the device on October 11. The ship remained alongside in port to allow the investigation to proceed and to provide immediate support to crew members, the department said. Defence has described the incident as serious and said the welfare of those aboard remains a priority. Senator Jacqui Lambie raised the discovery in Parliament and called for an independent body to investigate. She said she had received a letter claiming the device was found in shower facilities. Lambie also warned that footage may have been uploaded online before the device was discovered. Those claims about the device’s location and possible online footage have not been established in the information released by Defence. The department has not commented on whether footage was recorded or uploaded.