Former ABC journalist Craig James Wallace has surrendered himself to Australian Federal Police in Canberra, facing multiple charges related to child abuse material. The 63-year-old appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was granted bail under strict conditions.
Charges and court appearance
Wallace faces four counts of possessing child abuse material obtained through a carriage service, as well as one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material. The charges follow an investigation by the AFP's Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team. Wallace was not required to enter a plea during the brief hearing.
Magistrate James Lawton granted Wallace bail, imposing conditions including that he reside at his home address, report to police three times a week, and not use the internet without prior approval. He is also prohibited from contacting anyone under the age of 18 without a responsible adult present.
Background and career
Wallace had a long career with the ABC, working as a journalist and producer for programs including Lateline and 7.30. He left the broadcaster in 2020. The allegations against him are unrelated to his professional work, according to police.
According to court documents, the alleged offences occurred between 2017 and 2022. The AFP will allege that Wallace used online platforms to access and store child abuse material. His lawyer, John Maher, said his client had voluntarily handed himself in after being contacted by police.
Legal proceedings and next steps
Wallace is scheduled to appear in court again in May. The case has drawn significant attention due to his former high-profile role at the national broadcaster. The ABC declined to comment on the matter, stating it was a personal legal issue.
If convicted, Wallace faces a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment per count for possessing child abuse material, and up to 20 years for accessing it. The AFP has urged anyone with information about child exploitation to come forward.
