Everything we know in the case of William Tan, former beauty pageant boss
He was a high-flying Brisbane entrepreneur with the world in the palm of his hands. One knock on the door changed everything.
A high-flying Brisbane entrepreneur who co-founded Australia’s “premier beauty pageant” has been charged with child sex offences.
This is everything we know about the case so far >>>
Who is William Wee Liat Tan?
The 49-year-old is the founder of Sieverts Group of Companies and the chief financial officer for the Ms Oceania Pageant.
Tan is prolific on social media posting on themes of wealth and success while his Instagram account features selfies with the likes of champion boxer Jeff Horn, former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and TV personality Sophie Monk.
According to his LinkedIn profile Tan is a medical physicist whose primary work is focused on radiation safety and protection across Australia.
His company Sieverts Radiation Protection Consultancy where he serves as director provides advice on radiation matters for businesses.
Tan was vice-president of the Australian Dental Industry Association from 2018 to 2022.
What is his political background?
Tan was the candidate for the seat of Algester in the 2006 Queensland state election. He lost the election to Karen Struthers of the Australian Labor Party.
An LNP spokesman said Tan hadn’t been a member of the party since 2009.
An online profile of Tan before the election said he wanted to “serve and represent the people around me effectively and practically”.
He also said he was campaigning for “more police on the beat”.
“I am passionate in producing outcomes that are mutually beneficial for the advancement of Algester,” one profile said.
“Many of the local residents tell me that law and order, roads and infrastructure along with public health facilities and water issues are lacking for our ever growing electorate.
“I am determined to work with local residents to deliver outcomes for our electorate. I am a hard worker and do not believe in a mediocre approach to life. I am driven by vision, passion and a positive attitude.”
What exactly are the allegations?
Tan has been charged with child sex offences.
It’s alleged he was active in a number of online child abuse networks including one titled ‘Joy of Rape’ which he is accused of administering.
He is charged with three counts of use carriage service to distribute child abuse material, two counts each of possessing child exploitation material, administering child exploitation material website, possessing child abuse material obtained using a carriage service, use carriage service to access child abuse material and one count each of use carriage service to make available child abuse material, use carriage service to groom persons 16 years of age and encouraging offence against division 272.
On November 24 he was hit with 46 more child abuse charges.
How did the allegations begin?
Police raided Tan’s properties in Fortitude Valley and Fitzgibbon on October 12 and seized a large number of mobile phones, computers and storage devices.
He was charged following an investigation by Queensland Police’s Taskforce Argos and the AFP Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.
Police allege Tan, announced as an ambassador for the domestic violence charity Open Haven in 2022, was found in possession of child exploitation material depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants.
What has the beauty pageant said?
The Australian beauty pageant co-founded by the Brisbane medical entrepreneur will undergo a “complete rebranding process” and refund event tickets.
Tan was dumped as the Chief Financial Officer of Ms Oceania following the allegations.
Tan also co-founded Ms Oceania which billed itself as Australia’s “premier beauty pageant”.
In a statement on social media the beauty pageant said its “hearts go out” to alleged victims and it recognised “the emotional impact this news can have on our community and individuals affiliated with the Ms. Oceania brand”.
Also in a statement the domestic violence charity Open Haven referred to Tan as a “former” fundraising ambassador.
What happens next?
On October 17 the high-flying Brisbane businessman was ordered to remain in custody after a court heard he allegedly bragged about raping children and shared images of “unsuspecting” underage models online.
“Horrific” allegations against William Wee Liat Tan were exposed during an unsuccessful bail application at Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Tan has been charged with 20 new charges overnight – with “many” more anticipated to follow – after he was arrested for alleged child exploitation material offences earlier in the week.
Magistrate Louise Shepherd refused Tan’s bail after the court heard he allegedly claimed online to have raped children – and encouraged others to do the same.
On November 24 solicitor Ruth Williams, of Williams and Williams, said her client was aware of fresh charges.
She asked for them to be joint with the initial 34 charges and made no bail application.
Ms Ganasan adjourned the matter to February 2, 2026 in Brisbane Magistrates Court for committal mention.
