Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I am advised that the Prime Minister was aware of claims that a Vodafone employee accessed the phone records of a Fairfax reporter. The Telecommunications Act 1997 and the Privacy Act 1988 provide strong protections prohibiting unauthorised access to a person's telecommunications information. It is also an offence under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 for anyone to access stored communications without a warrant. This includes the content of text messages.

It is understood that Vodafone has issued a statement about the matter, advising that it commissioned an independent investigation. It is also understood that it reported the matter to the Australian Federal Police. It is understood that Vodafone has also taken action, as a result of this incident, to strengthen its internal privacy arrangements and has appointed a dedicated privacy officer. Both the ACMA and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner have been in contact with Vodafone regarding this matter.