Federal health adviser Daniel McCluskie charged over alleged sexual assaults of partner and woman he met on dating app
Daniel McCluskie, 44, was arrested at his home on Sibbick St in Russell Lea — Sydney's inner west — at about 7am on Wednesday after an investigation into alleged domestic violence-related sexual and assault offences committed between 2021 and 2024.
NSW Police launched the investigation in March after allegations emerged that McCluskie had sexually assaulted, choked, and kidnapped a 35-year-old woman between 2021 and 2023.
Further inquiries uncovered a second alleged victim, a 52-year-old woman McCluskie met on the alternative dating app Feeld, which caters to people interested in kink and non-traditional relationships.
He is accused of choking her after consensual activity in March 2024.
McCluskie has been charged with 15 domestic violence-related offences, including eight counts of sexual intercourse without consent, three counts of intentionally choking a person without consent, two counts of stalking or intimidation, one count of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent, and one count of detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage.
He appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday and was granted conditional bail.
Conditions of his bail include restrictions on leaving NSW or Australia and bans on using smartphones and dating apps.
McCluskie is listed as a digital health adviser for the Australian Digital Health Agency.
'Daniel, as a Clinician, Program Director, and Transformation Architect, stands out as a distinguished leader in the realm of Digital Health throughout Australia,' the federal government agency said on its website.
'Daniel's multifaceted skill set, coupled with his unwavering commitment to driving positive change within the healthcare landscape, underscore his role as a transformative force in Digital Health across Australia.'
The agency told 7NEWS.com.au on Thursday that it is aware of the 'serious charges' laid against 'a Daniel McCluskie'.
'As this is an active police matter, we are unable to comment,' it said in a statement.
'We note that Digital Health Advisers are not employees of the Agency.'
7NEWS.com.au understands McCluskie held a wedding ceremony in 2013 in NSW's Mittagong.
A University of Sydney Bachelor of Nursing graduate, McCluskie has been featured on the university's alumni page, sharing 'words of wisdom' with fellow students.
The university said McCluskie 'has had a great deal of success', and he reflected on how his time there shaped his career, which included serving as a Director at KPMG consulting in the health industry.
'The greatest achievement in my career is that I have been able to have direct and indirect impacts on those in our communities, working to improve quality of life and wellbeing,' he said.
'Whether it is a finishing a shift in ICU knowing that you have done your best caring for the patient and their loved ones, supporting the nurses on the ward you manage to deliver the best care they can, or leading the implementation of an electronic medication management system that significantly reduces the risk of medication errors and adverse events.
'All are great achievements, with meaningful impact, it's just a matter of scale.'
McCluskie is next due to appear at Burwood Local Court on July 10.
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