News

Seaman who attacked Flag received tax-paid expenses for sport

9th May 2018: Canberra – Department of Defence

The Department of Defence revealed that Australian Navy seaman, Micqaella O’Shane, based in Cairns, received $736 in tax-paid expenses for participation in rugby events, only two months after she had attacked the Australian National Flag, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day on Facebook.

On Australia Day, 2017, O’Shane posted on Facebook, “To be honest I’ve never given two F**ks about ANZAC day or Remembrance Day…I spit on the Australian flag and burn it (if I even owned the disgusting thing) and on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day…”. This post was accompanied by a photograph of herself in Navy uniform.

On 28th Feb 2018, under Senate Estimate Hearings, Independent Senator Fraser Anning wrote a series of questions to the Department of Defence on this matter, and the department responded as follows on 9th May:

Q: Was this sailor charged?

A: Yes. The sailor was charged under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982.

Q: What was the outcome of those charges?

A: The sailor was disciplined under the summary discipline system. Further detail cannot be provided under the Privacy Act 1988.

Q: Was this sailor subsequently sent at Defence expense to attend any sporting events?

A. Yes. The sailor was selected, based upon her merits as a player, to be part of the HMAS Cairns rugby squad which participated in Mons Cup Rugby 29 March – 1 April 2017 in Sydney. Additionally, she attended the Navy Rugby League Women’s Development Camp in Sydney 16-18 August 2017.

Q: What was the cost of attendance at this event?

A: $402.50 for attendance at the Mons Cup Rugby and $333.77 for attendance at the Navy Rugby League Women’s Development Camp.