Authorities are investigating after a video recording device was allegedly found in female shower facilities aboard a navy vessel.
The Australian Defence Force confirmed on Tuesday evening it had become aware on October 11 that the device had been found on Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Leeuwin.
At the time the Leeuwin was docked in Cairns in far north Queensland.
Senator Jacqui Lambie raised the issue in an impassioned address to the Senate on Tuesday morning regarding ongoing sexual assaults in the Defence Force.
Senator Lambie said she had been made aware in an email that the recording device was found in a female sailor's shower cabin.
"Even more disturbing are claims that footage from these cameras may have been uploaded online before the cameras were discovered," she said.
"I was also told that this had occurred recently and had prevented the vessel from sailing while investigations were ongoing."
Senator Lambie said the sender of the email held concerns that similar devices might be in other vessels.
The Defence Force said the incident had been referred to the Joint Military Police Unit and it was also working with civilian authorities.
"Defence takes this incident extremely seriously and does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any form," the statement said.
"The welfare of individuals remains Defence’s priority, and support is ongoing."
As of Tuesday the Leeuwin remained docked in Cairns to enable the investigation and support for the ship’s crew members, Defence said.
