Australia captain’s private details allegedly accessed by police
Laura Geitz in action for Australia. Photo: Getty
Australian netball captain Laura Geitz’s private information was allegedly viewed illegally by a Gold Coast police officer, the Southport Magistrates Court heard this week.
News Corp reported that the 29-year-old Geitz was one of more than a dozen people whose files were reportedly accessed improperly by the same 40-year-old sergeant.
The offences are alleged to have occurred in 2016, from April to October.
According to AAP, police stood down the officer from official duties in December over the allegations.
The officer has only been allowed to perform “non-operational” duties since and faces computer hacking charges.
The case was adjourned until February 28.
Queensland Police are also being sued for $400,000 after former bikini model Renee Eaves claimed her personal file was accessed by police 1400 times since 2008.
Ms Eaves, now a social justice advocate, told ABC Brisbane last year there “was a gross abuse of this system”.
She added: “It is being used against innocent members of the public who deserve and are entitled to privacy.
“It should only be for the eyes of only people who are authorised and have a reason to access that information.”
On the Ms Eaves case, Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts said it was “extraordinarily important” police didn’t misuse their access to access private information.
Who is Laura Geitz?
Geitz has played 64 Tests for Australia and also captains the Queensland Firebirds.
After making her maiden international appearance in 2008, she quickly established herself and, in 2013, she became skipper.
Geitz won’t play for the Firebirds in 2017. Photo: Getty
Geitz’s record as captain is incredible, winning 26 of 29 matches.
She played a key role in Australia’s success at the 2011 World Netball Championships and then led her country to success in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
That victory was made all the sweeter by the fact New Zealand edged Australia in an extra-time thriller in the 2010 Commonwealth Games decider.
Australia also won the 2015 World Championships, again led by Geitz.
She has enjoyed plenty of success at club level, too, leading the Firebirds to titles in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Off the court
Geitz won’t be part of the new Super Netball competition, which starts on Saturday, though.
She announced in September last year that she was expecting her first child with husband, Mark.
“We are overwhelmed to wake up to so many beautiful messages from you all this morning,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
“[Mark] and I are thrilled beyond words to know the best is yet to come and we can’t wait for this next chapter of our lives.”
Geitz also runs “a fresh and exciting range of clinics targeting fitness, health and wellbeing, teamwork and leadership activities” for young women.
She is an ambassador for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast as well.
At an announcement in December, she said: “The Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle for Australian netballers and the prospect of winning back-to-back gold medals is very exciting.”
– with AAP
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