Legal academic Alan Boulton granted bail over child abuse material charges
Alan Boulton, 74, was charged with three counts of possessing child abuse material after an alleged incident at Monash University's law chambers in the Melbourne CBD in February this year.
Mr Boulton's case was brought before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court for the first time on Thursday for a filing hearing.
His barrister, Holly Baxter, said her client had been "up front" with investigators, and was seeking permission to travel to Europe while on bail.
"He booked the trip. A serious amount of money has been spent on that trip," Ms Baxter said.
Ms Baxter said Mr Boulton had travelled overseas during the police investigation and had returned with no issues.
The condition was granted by Magistrate Brett Sonnet, who adjourned the case until November, and ordered police to file a brief of evidence by September 18.
Details of the allegations against Mr Boulton were not aired in court on Thursday.
Victoria Police has previously said that "inappropriate images were inadvertently displayed during a university lecture in the CBD on Wednesday 5 February".
Mr Boulton did not attend court in-person, instead appearing via video link wearing a suit and tie.
He is yet to enter a plea to the charges.
Mr Boulton, a former senior deputy director of the Fair Work Commission and Order of Australia recipient, was charged in July after a five-month investigation by Victoria Police.
Properties in the Melbourne suburb of Middle Park and in Sydney were raided by police during the investigation.
Monash University said it referred the matter to police and suspended Mr Boulton immediately.
He is no longer employed by the university.
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