Mysterious Recording Device Found on Navy Ship HMAS Leeuwin

A recording device was discovered in the cabin of the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin on October 11, sparking an investigation by military police and civilian authorities. The device was found in a female-only cabin while the ship was docked in Cairns.

The incident has raised concerns about safety and security within the Defence Force, with Senator Jacqui Lambie describing it as a serious issue. She told the Senate she had received a letter from a person who said the device had been found in the "shower facilities".

"Even more disturbing are claims that footage from these cameras may have been uploaded online before the cameras were discovered," she said.

Senator Lambie said she is preparing a private members bill to raise standards within the Defence Force, which she would introduce to parliament in the new year.

"I want to know if they [Defence] have gone around on the rest of those boats, subs, whatever, and made sure there are no other cameras?" she said.

Greens leader David Shoebridge described the news as "incredibly concerning".

"We know many women aren't feeling safe inside Defence spaces, and again we say to Labor: you've got to restore faith with Defence personnel, you've got to make women and other people feel safe in Defence spaces," he said.

An ex-servicewoman told a friend of hers who was onboard had been told not to speak with the media.

"These people have been forced to remain silent about it," she said. "If Defence was as good as they say it was, why would they need to silence anyone?"

Defence says it is taking the incident "extremely seriously" and has referred it to the Joint Military Police Unit.

"The incident was referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and Defence is working with civilian authorities. 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."