Former judge accused of having child abuse material allowed to go on luxury overseas trip

3 months ago 14

A Melbourne academic and former Fair Work Commission deputy president will be allowed to travel overseas on an expensive business trip after being charged with possessing child abuse material.

Justice Alan Boulton, 74, was charged last month after the illicit material was allegedly mistakenly displayed during a Monash University lecture in February.

Alan Boulton has been charged with possessing child abuse material.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court remotely on Thursday, dressed in a suit and tie, where his defence lawyer Holly Baxter argued against bail conditions that would have prevented him from leaving the country.

Baxter said her client had travelled overseas and returned in May, while the investigation was underway, and banning him from travel would mean he would be unable to attend a business trip he booked last month.

Alan Boulton is a former judge and FWC deputy president.

“A serious amount of money has been spent on that trip,” she said.

Baxter said her client would willingly provide police with his itinerary and flight details. She noted Boulton had no previous criminal history.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet agreed to allow Boulton to travel overseas, denying the prosecution’s request, telling the court he needed to take Boulton’s age and lack of criminal history into account.

Sonnet did impose some bail conditions, including that Boulton live at no more than two undisclosed addresses and not interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Police interviewed Boulton and seized his electronic devices during a search of his Middle Park home on February 12. They also searched a home in NSW.

Monash University has confirmed the 74-year-old had worked at the university but was suspended immediately and removed from all teaching duties after the February incident.

“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,” the university said.

Boulton is also a former senior deputy president of the Fair Work Commission and graduated from the University of Sydney before being 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.

He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2002 for “distinguished service to industrial arbitration and labour relations”.

Boulton is expected to return to court in November.

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