Former rugby SA director and ex-staffer to Ann Bressington pleads guilty to Federal child exploitation material charges

A former practising solicitor, law tutor, Rugby SA director and political staffer has pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse images.

Former Rugby SA director and University of South Australia law tutor Michael Figwer has pleaded guilty to accessing and possessing child exploitation material.

Figwer, 61, of Hazelwood Park, was arrested following a tip off from the United States National Centre of Missing and Exploited Children.

On Tuesday, Jason Evitts, for Figwer, said his client would be pleading guilty to the charges.

Mr Evitts passed a note to Magistrate Roderick Jensen containing the confirmation of the guilty pleas.

He confirmed the written plea meant it was not necessary for the charges to be read in open court.

On March 17, police from the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team raided Figwer’s home and seized electronic devices, including his phone.

Michael Figwer. Picture: Facebook.

Michael Figwer, former UniSA lecturer and senior member of Rugby SA, leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

It remains unclear how many videos and pictures are the subject of the charge.

Figwer was the office manager and research officer for Legislative Council MP Ann Bressington who was elected as a running mate to Nick Xenophon in 2006.

By the time Figwer was working for Ms Bressington, Mr Xenophon had made the switch to federal politics.

Figwer was also a practising solicitor and a casual lecturer at the School of Law at the University of South Australia in 2015.

He was not working at the university at the time of the offending.

Figwer was also a senior member of Rugby SA where he was an acting director of the organisation in 2015 and held the chair of the match judiciary panel.

At the time of Figwer’s arrest a Rugby SA spokesman said they had not had any contact with police over the matter.

“Rugby Union South Australia (RUSA) has had no contact with SA Police in regards to this matter however we understand an individual from our community has been charged and facing proceedings,” he said.

“This individual currently holds no official role within rugby although was temporarily engaged as a volunteer judiciary member in 2021.

“RUSA is committed to providing a safe environment for all its members.”

SA Police Detective Superintendent James Blandford said officers would continue following tips from the international law enforcement.

“It makes no difference who you are, where you are or who you are offending against, JACET will find you and hold you to account,” he said.

Figwer will appear in the District Court next month for arraignment ahead of sentencing submissions.