Five people laid complaints against former cabinet minister Aussie Malcolm
Monday, 4 August 2025
Five people laid formal complaints with police alleging former National Party cabinet minister Anthony “Aussie” Malcolm had subjected them to sexual abuse.
Police were investigating complaints against Malcolm when he died in September 2024.
Documents released to Stuff under the Official Information Act show Malcolm’s alleged behaviour followed a “consistent pattern” of targeting boys, aged between 9 and 16. One of the complainants was a woman, aged in her 30s.
Police launched a review of three complaints made against Malcolm, following a referral from the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care.
Malcolm, an “informal foster caregiver”, faced allegations spanning from 1977 to 2018, and all complainants were boys at the time of the alleged offending.
A summary of the police review of the file shows Malcolm often gained the trust of people through fostering and mentorship and would allegedly isolate victims before abusing them.
“Similarities across cases suggest a clear modus operandi and potential for propensity evidence under current legal standards,” the review said.
The summary of the review “highlights systemic issues” in maintaining files and communication between government departments which prevented earlier detection.
“The review concludes that Anthony Malcolm likely engaged in coercive and/or criminal sexual conduct with multiple young boys.
“While no charges were laid during his lifetime, the cumulative evidence — had it been available and considered together — could have supported prosecution…”
The review shows two further complainants and other informants came forward after Malcolm died.
The review found all three complaints laid while Malcolm was still alive were investigated “thoroughly and in accordance with protocols at the time” but the prosecution did not go ahead because of legal thresholds not being met, retractions by complainants, and lack of access to earlier case files.
Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney said, had all the evidence been available and considered together, it could have supported a prosecution.
“Police were well advanced with an assessment pursuant to the Solicitor General’s Prosecution Guidelines at the time of Mr Malcolm’s death.
“Unfortunately, his death in September 2024 is a bar to any prosecution against him and no further action can be taken,” he said in a statement.
He paid tribute to the survivors and the courage they displayed in coming forward.
Sweeney said police had contacted the complainants and explained the findings of the review to them. He said the review had also provided police with lessons.
“It highlights systemic issues in historical file retention and inter-agency communication, which hindered earlier connection of the various of complaints against Mr Malcolm that were received and actioned by police over three decades.
“Modern police file management systems, as well as oversight from three territorial Detective Superintendents, ensures victims and offenders can be linked much earlier to identify possible patterns of offending.”
Summary of the complaints from the police review:
1. Complainant A (1992)
Alleged repeated sexual abuse between ages 15–16.
Investigation found credible evidence but no prosecution due to legal limitations: age ambiguity and perceived consent.
The complaint was supported by a corroborative affidavit from Complainant B, who described grooming behaviour by Malcolm.
2. Complainant C (2012)
Alleged sexual abuse between the ages of 9 and 10.
Investigation concluded insufficient evidence for prosecution.
Earlier complaints (eg, Complainant A) were not accessible to investigators due to record keeping limitations.
3. Complainant D (2018)
Alleged physical and sexual abuse. Initially disclosed abuse but later retracted.
Social worker and psychologist assessments supported the retraction, halting further action.
4. Complainant E (1977)
Complaint made in 2024 as a result of publicity (post death of Malcolm).
Alleged molestation when aged 11.
5. Complainant F (2013)
Complaint made in 2024 as a result of publicity (post death of Malcolm).
Alleged indecent exposure and indecent assault.
AMENDMENT: This story has been updated to specify that one of the complainants was an adult woman. (Amended: August 5, 2025, 8.37am.)