Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Paterson; I know cybersecurity is a matter you're genuinely interested in. I think all Australians were concerned to see this apparent cyberattack that occurred over the last few days involving Optus data, because Australians expect that when they hand over their personal data, particularly to corporations, every effort will be made to keep it safe from harm. As a result of this data breach, unfortunately it appears millions of Australians have been impacted in an unfortunate way. As Senator Paterson recognises, the information we have to date is that the breach involves people's names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, residential addresses and, for some customers, passport and drivers' licence numbers being for sale on the dark web. This is very concerning to many Australians. I note, however, that Optus has advised that while a wide range of data has been breached, according to Optus, payment details and account passwords have not been compromised. That is at least some saving grace for Australians who have experienced this.

Since the government was advised of this matter last Wednesday, 21 September, a range of government bodies have been working to contain the incident, including the Australian Signals Directorate, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Federal Police. For obvious reasons, I won't go into the technical assistance and cybersecurity advice being provided to Optus, or the wider efforts to help protect Australians, but I can assure Senator Paterson and all Australians that hundreds of Australian government staff have been working long into the night and over the weekend to stem the damage flowing from this. I want to thank them for their efforts. The Minister for Home Affairs has of course been continually briefed since this issue commenced and I know also that the Leader of the Opposition was briefed today. (Time expired)