Media Release
West Australian man charged with possessing child exploitation material after alleged detection at Perth Airport
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A West Australian man is scheduled to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today (21 September, 2026) charged with possessing child exploitation material following an alleged detection at Perth Airport last month.
The AFP charged the East Bunbury man, 25, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly identified child exploitation material on a mobile phone when they examined his baggage after he arrived on an international flight on 28 August, 2026.
ABF officers searched the man’s luggage and seized a phone that allegedly contained child exploitation material in a recently deleted files folder.
The matter was referred to the AFP, and AFP officers identified nine videos alleged to contain child exploitation material.
The man was arrested at Perth Airport and charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material, contrary to section 220 of the Criminal Code (WA). This offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector David Blockley said the AFP remained committed to protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
“This investigation highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in identifying and disrupting the alleged exploitation of children," Det a/Insp Blockley said.
“Border detections play a crucial role in protecting our community's most vulnerable - our children - from harm, no matter where they are in the world.
“The AFP will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify people who engage in child exploitation offending and bring them before the courts.”
ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said ABF officers were continuing to detect increasing amounts of child abuse material on passengers’ digital devices at the airport.
“Our officers take their role in protecting the community at the border very seriously. We have found abhorrent material on passengers’ phones that has ultimately led to children being rescued from harm and exploitation overseas, so it is crucial that we act,” Superintendent Eldridge said.
Note to media
Use of terms 'CHILD ABUSE' or 'CHILD EXPLOITATION' MATERIAL not ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’
The correct legal terms are Child Abuse Material or Child Exploitation Material. The move to this terminology was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.
