Queensland Man Charged with 13 Child Abuse Offences Following International Investigation

A 75-year-old Queensland man has been charged with 13 child abuse-related offences following an extensive investigation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), and international law enforcement agencies.

The man is scheduled to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on 17 June 2026 after investigators allegedly uncovered child abuse material on his mobile phone.

The investigation began in March 2025 when Australian Border Force officers examined the man’s electronic device after he returned to Australia on an international flight. During the inspection, officers allegedly identified material suspected to be child abuse content and referred the matter to the AFP.

Over the following months, AFP investigators in Queensland worked closely with liaison officers based in Paris, China, Bali, and Manila to identify children depicted in the images and videos and to ensure their safety. Authorities have confirmed that inquiries relating to the victims remain ongoing.

On 16 June 2026, AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man’s residence in Ilbilbie, south of Mackay. During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices, which will undergo further forensic examination.

Charges

The accused has been charged with:

• Eleven counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.
• Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communications to a person under the age of 16, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Police have stated that investigations are continuing and additional charges have not been ruled out.

AFP Commitment to Child Protection

AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said protecting children from abuse and exploitation remains a top priority for the agency.

He said the AFP was committed to identifying offenders, disrupting criminal activity, and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

Det Supt Telfer noted that the investigation involved significant cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies, highlighting the AFP’s international reach and its determination to combat child exploitation wherever it occurs.

Border Force Role

Australian Border Force Superintendent John Ikin said the case demonstrated the importance of border security operations in detecting serious criminal activity.

He said ABF officers are trained to identify threats at Australia’s borders and that the discovery of suspected child abuse material on the electronic device triggered a significant national and international investigation.

Supt Ikin warned that individuals involved in accessing, carrying, or sharing child abuse material should expect to be detected and prosecuted through coordinated efforts between Australian and international law enforcement agencies.

National Efforts Against Child Exploitation

The AFP and its partners continue to work through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), a national initiative focused on combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist investigators and experts from across Australia to support child exploitation investigations, identify offenders, protect victims, and develop prevention strategies aimed at creating a safer online environment.

Authorities have reminded the public that all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.