This was published 4 months ago
Monash University academic named after child abuse material allegedly shown in lecture
A Melbourne legal academic who was charged after child abuse material allegedly flashed on the screen during a lecture at a city university has been named.
Justice Alan Boulton, 74, is the former senior deputy president of the Fair Work Commission and has been charged over the material displayed during a university lecture in the CBD on February 5.
He was interviewed by police, who seized his electronic devices during a search of his Middle Park home on February 12.
Victoria Police have now charged Boulton with one count of possessing child abuse material as a Commonwealth offence and two counts of possessing child abuse material.
Monash University confirmed the 74-year-old had worked at the university, but was suspended immediately and “removed from all teaching duties” following the February incident.
A spokeswoman for Monash University said the institution was assisting police with their inquiries, adding that the wellbeing of students, staff and the broader community remained its “highest priority”.
“Monash University was made aware of concerns relating to an incident in February 2025, and referred the matter to Victoria Police. We continue to support the ongoing investigation,” she said.
According to a now-deleted webpage about Boulton on the Monash University website, the 74-year-old graduated from the University of Sydney and was appointed as the first legal officer for the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 1979.
He also worked with the International Labour Organisation in the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste, helping to draft new modern labour laws.
The 74-year-old was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2002 for “distinguished service to industrial arbitration and labour relations”.
He is expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Police are not searching for anyone else in relation to the investigation.
with Noel Towell
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Caroline Schelle is an education reporter, and joined The Age in 2022. She previously covered courts at AAP.Connect via Twitter or email.
Noel Towell is Education Editor for The AgeConnect via Twitter or email.
