❓ Mr. Barnett questions Premier Gallop about privacy breaches identified in the Auditor General's report, specifically regarding financial and sensitive client information. Premier Gallop acknowledges the issue and outlines steps to ensure departments address the breaches and prevent future occurrences.
AnsweredQoN 397Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Auditor General’s second public sector performance report tabled today, which found that four of the five audited agencies were disclosing personal information without having fully managed the associated privacy risks, and ask - (1) Is the Premier aware that this personal information includes financial information provided to the Government Employees Superannuation Board and even sensitive client details, possibly allegations of child maltreatment, provided in confidence to the Department for Community Development? (2) What action does the Premier intend to take over the risk posed by these serious breaches of privacy, given also that employees of outsourced companies, such as information technology providers, can access private and personal information? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(1) Is the Premier aware that this personal information includes financial information provided to the Government Employees Superannuation Board and even sensitive client details, possibly allegations of child maltreatment, provided in confidence to the Department for Community Development? (2) What action does the Premier intend to take over the risk posed by these serious breaches of privacy, given also that employees of outsourced companies, such as information technology providers, can access private and personal information? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(2) What action does the Premier intend to take over the risk posed by these serious breaches of privacy, given also that employees of outsourced companies, such as information technology providers, can access private and personal information? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(1) Is the Premier aware that this personal information includes financial information provided to the Government Employees Superannuation Board and even sensitive client details, possibly allegations of child maltreatment, provided in confidence to the Department for Community Development? (2) What action does the Premier intend to take over the risk posed by these serious breaches of privacy, given also that employees of outsourced companies, such as information technology providers, can access private and personal information? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(2) What action does the Premier intend to take over the risk posed by these serious breaches of privacy, given also that employees of outsourced companies, such as information technology providers, can access private and personal information? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
(1)-(2) I am aware of the Auditor General’s report which was presented to the public and to the Parliament today. Of course, the responsibility for the management of private information rests with each individual department. Those departments are required to follow the processes in place, and I expect them to do so. Notwithstanding that, it is absolutely unacceptable to me and the Government that some departments are failing to properly protect private client information. I will ensure that each of the ministers in charge of those portfolios follow that matter up with their departments. The Department of Industry and Technology has established privacy guidelines for departments. I understand that the departments involved have already moved to ensure that private information is not released to anyone, but I will be making sure that each of the ministers responsible for those departments takes the matter up with the directors general of those departments to ensure that such a breach of the rules does not occur again.
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