An Australian man is set to appear before Brisbane Magistrate's Court today (6 November, 2026) to face 18 child abuse material charges, including the alleged production of child abuse material via a concealed camera.
The man was initially charged on 28 May, 2026, with one count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to Section 228D of the Criminal Code (Qld). The maximum penalty for this offence is 14 years' imprisonment.
An additional 17 charges will be laid during today's court appearance as a result of ongoing investigations.
The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a baggage examination on arrival at Brisbane International Airport on 28 May, 2026. ABF officers located images of suspected child abuse material on a mobile phone.
AFP's Northern Command Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NC JACET) officers attended the airport, reviewed and seized two electronic devices before charging the man.
The man, 59, is an Australian citizen and long-term resident of Papua New Guinea.
Following a request for assistance from the AFP, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary executed a search warrant at a home on 11 June, 2026, locating a hidden camera, which NC JACET officers allege sent recordings of children within the home to a mobile device.
Following examination of the seized devices, the man has been charged with:
- Nine counts of making child exploitation material, contrary to section s228B(1)(b) of the Criminal Code (Qld). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment.
- Four counts of producing child abuse material outside Australia, contrary to section 273.6(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment; and,
- Four counts of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section s474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
He first appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 9 July, 2026, and was granted conditional bail.
AFP Detective Inspector Steven Wiggins said the AFP and its partners were united in their efforts to protect children and disrupt online child exploitation.
"The AFP works hand-in-hand with domestic and international partners to identify alleged offenders, safeguard victims, and prevent further harm," Det-Insp Wiggins said.
"Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community and deserve to feel safe, both online and in the real world."
ABF Superintendent Robert Ansell said frontline ABF officers play a critical role in stopping the proliferation of child abuse in our community.
"ABF officers are trained to identify indicators of criminal activity and are committed detecting and disrupting criminals involved in child abuse and exploitation," Superintendent Ansell said.
"When suspicious material is identified, we work closely with law enforcement partners to ensure these matters are thoroughly investigated."
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse, and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on Triple Zero (000).
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
