Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a quick housekeeping statement. On Thursday 25 May the member for Chifley asked me several questions about the data spill of phone numbers MPs and senators which occurred on Monday 20 March. The member for Chifley asked for an update on the review into the data spill, to be advised on the remedial action which has been taken, whether the Department of Parliamentary Services is subject to the Australian Privacy Principles, and if a breach of these principles by DPS or its contractors occurred. I understand the member for Chifley also met with the secretary of the department on 24 May and posed similar questions to the department. Rather than detain the House with a lengthy statement, I wish to now table my responses to the member for Chifley's questions. The information provided should be viewed as a response to both those questions addressed to me in the House as well as those questions addressed to DPS. In tabling the statement, I hope to allay any concerns that members may still have about this issue. I can assure members that this data spill has been taken extremely seriously by both me and the President of the Senate, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure, where possible, this does not occur again. I thank the House.