The Liberal government minister in charge of the state’s data, Victor Dominello, has refused to guarantee Illawarra residents have not had their personal information leaked as part of a political smear campaign.
Customer Service Minister Dominello could not or would not provide that guarantee to Wollongong MP Paul Scully who asked the question in the NSW Parliament.
“They [his department] got advice from the Privacy Commission and they are implementing that advice,” Mr Dominello replied but failed to elaborate.
The Minister’s office is at the centre of a scandal over the leaking of hundreds of motorists’ confidential data, such as their names, addresses, age and the date on which a driving offence occurred.
The confidential information found its way into the hands of a journalist as part of an attempt to smear Labor during the recent state election.
The Labor Opposition has asked almost 20 questions of Mr Dominello and the Premier but both have used the police investigation into the matter as a shield to avoid answering them.
Neither have acknowledged the breach nor have they said they will tell the individuals whose details were leaked.
As Customer Service Minister Mr Dominello is in charge of Service NSW, which has the details of millions of people on government databases.
Labor’s Mr Scully said the people of the Illawarra had a right to know how their confidential information was breached and what the Government has done to make sure it never happens again.
“I want the Premier and the Minister to formally tell individuals in the Illawarra that their personal information was breached and leaked.
“I want the Premier and Minister to just come clean that officials in the Government did the wrong thing with personal data and that it will never happen again.
“Minister Dominello is in charge of the most sensitive portfolio in the government with personal data at his and his official’s fingertips every single day.
“People need to know that their personal information and data is above politics and protected at all costs but the Minister has failed to provide that guarantee today.”
