Cameron Nation: Ex-Moonee Valley mayor unmasked as he's jailed for abusing teenager
The identity of a former mayor can be revealed after a magistrate denied an ongoing media gag order and jailed him for abusing a teenage boy.
A former mayor who admitted to sexually touching a teenager has sobbed as he learned his identity will be publicly revealed for the first time.
Melbourne magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz revoked a suppression order over Cameron Nation before jailing the former politician for three months.
The one-time Moonee Valley mayor, 42, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child under his authority after inviting a teenager to his home in December 2019.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Nation and the boy, 17, consumed nitrous oxide which made the teen feel “spaced out”, the court heard.
He began kissing the boy before Nation placed his own mouth in an intimate area.
The victim told police he felt uncomfortable, confused and like he had no control during the assault.
Less than 12 months later, Nation began serving a one-year term as mayor for Moonee Valley’s 130,000 residents.
Defence lawyer Sam Norton said his client’s offending lasted a short time, was not planned and was a one-off.
Prosecutors agreed with his call for a community corrections order, which Mr Norton characterised as appropriate given any time in prison would likely to “substantially worsen” his mental health.
The magistrate disagreed, describing the offending as serious and a breach of trust.
Ms Mykytowycz said three months in jail was “shorter than what otherwise might be the case” due to his remorse and low likelihood of reoffending.
She also placed Nation on an 18-month community corrections order.
The former mayor and councillor, who left office in 2024, sobbed as the magistrate detailed a prior suicide attempt and how his 11-year relationship had come to an end.
She rejected his bid to extend a media gag order on his identity for another two years, after his lawyer cited concerns for mental health and suicide ideation.
A psychologist’s report before the court had stated there was an “appreciable risk” Nation’s mental health would decline if he experienced further public attention.
“I’m not satisfied there is a causal link between the risk to (his) psychological safety and the publication of media articles,” Ms Mykytowycz said.
Despite his “parlous” mental health, she said there was adequate care, treatment and family and community support to help him in the event of further crisis.
Prosecutor Miranda Ball and media lawyer Natasha Connors opposed any ongoing suppression, citing his charge and criminal proceedings as factors behind his mental decline.
“It’s hard to imagine a clearer case why the public should be able to know who is being sentenced and what the outcome is,” Ms Connors said.
Nation’s lawyer flagged he would appeal the magistrate’s suppression and sentencing decision.
The gagging of media to protect the mental health of men accused of serious crimes has been in the spotlight in Victoria in recent times.
Tom Silvagni, the son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni, and entertainment manager Ralph Carr successfully kept their names from being publicised for 18 months and almost three years, respectively.
Both were ultimately convicted on rape charges but the gag orders were not lifted immediately.
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