Updated: The court appearance of health sector supremo Kempton Cowan on child pornography charges is sending shockwaves through all sides of politics and across WA's business community.
The court appearance of health sector supremo Kempton Cowan on child pornography charges is sending shockwaves through all sides of politics and across Western Australia's business community.
For almost two decades, Dr Cowan was the chief executive of Joondalup Health Campus and worked extremely closely with state and federal governments on the expansion of the private-public hospital.
The 55-year-old was arrested and charged on March 24, after the Western Australia Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team allegedly found the videos on two iPhones and an iPad during a search of his Mosman Park home.
Dr Cowan, far right, enjoyed good relations with all sides of politics.
Australian Federal Police said in a statement that their inquiries followed a lead from Interpol.
"The investigation was launched after a referral from Interpol about a teenager in the United Kingdom, who told police about online communications she allegedly had with an Australian-based man," the AFP statement read.
JACET, which comprises AFP and WA Police officers, allegedly linked Dr Cowan to the messaging accounts used.
It is alleged located videos found by officers showed girls being sexually abused and that police located a request from Dr Cowan for child abuse material.
The electronic devices found at Dr Cowan's home were still being examined when he appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Commonwealth charges of possessing child abuse material and one count of causing child abuse material to be transmitted using a carriage service.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' jail.
Since 2020, Dr Cowan had worked in a strategic role as a Ramsay Health Care executive.
The company was informed of the charges he faced on March 31, and he was stood down before he resigned.
"Ramsay Health Care has been made aware of an individual being charged with a number of criminal offences," the company said in a statement.
"We take this matter very seriously and are very concerned about the nature of these allegations.
"The individual no longer works for the company.
"No further comments can be made while this matter is before the courts."
The court granted amendments to his bail conditions, removing the requirement for him to report to Cottesloe Police Station in favour of a $5,000 surety.
“The sharing of child abuse videos and images is not a victimless crime,” said AFP spokesman Graeme Marshall in a statement.
“These are not just images on a screen, every image and every second of a video has a real child being abused and being subjected to a situation that no child should ever experience.”
Dr Cowan recieved an honorary doctorate from Edith Cowan in 2018.
In 2018, Dr Cowan received an honorary title - Doctor of Business - from Edith Cowan University.
He was regularly photographed with senior politicians and business leaders at official events and while socialising with long-time friends.
In the mid-1980s, Dr Cowan played colts and reserves football for Claremont in the WAFL, winning premierships alongside the ilk of Guy McKenna and Chris Lewis.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Dr Cowan played a major role in the decision to transfer 81 COVID-positive passengers from the German cruise ship Artania to the northern suburbs hospital.
The matter has been adjourned for legal advice until May 6.
