James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. On 23 September, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said to the public of the Optus data breach: 'It is a sophisticated attack.' On ABC's 7.30 last night, when the Minister for Home Affairs was asked if she agreed it was a sophisticated attack, she replied: 'What is of concern for us is how what is quite a basic hack was undertaken on Optus.' On ABC Radio this morning, Ms Bayer Rosmarin described the minister's comments as misinformation. Minister, who is right here?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was to me, wasn't it?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's a pity! I thank Senator Paterson for his question. Obviously, I've just come back from the UN General Assembly, so I haven't been in Australia for the events to which he refers. I think Senator Watt is probably more across what has occurred while I've been away, and I think he was asked questions yesterday about this. This is an occasion where it does appear, if I may say so, that the lack of action by the previous government has come home to roost. When you look at, for example, the privacy commissioner's comments—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, resume your seat, please. Senator Paterson.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on relevance: there were no questions about the policies of the former government, only questions about interviews that occurred this morning and statements of the minister.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong has just commenced her answer and she's heard your objection. I'll ask her to continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If only it were so easy that the failure to govern properly could be simply dismissed in that way. The reality is: you failed to act on so many issues, including the Privacy Act, and in relation to cybersecurity more broadly. As a consequence of the previous government's failures on this front, Australia is less prepared for and less resilient to cyberattacks than we should have been. You would know that, Senator Paterson, because you are one of the people on that side who understands some of the issues of national security and some of the complexity. You would know that the previous government did not pay sufficient attention to this issue. You would know, for example, that there were recommendations made, which the privacy commissioner has talked about, to strengthen the regulatory framework to provide additional rights for Australians to protect their personal information, and it does not appear that they were acted upon.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Birmingham.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on relevance: in response to Senator Paterson's point of order before, you indicated the minister was just beginning her response. When he drew a point of order that the question was related to statements about this particular cyberattack and which of those statements was correct, the minister went on talking about the former government. You indicated she was beginning her answer and gave her some latitude, but now, with 12 seconds left, I ask you to draw the minister to the question.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will draw the minister to the question by Senator Paterson.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I understand it—and my brief is that on 21 September Optus reported a data breach to the Australian Cyber Security Centre—shortly after identifying the compromise, Optus took action to contain the incident— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Paterson, a first supplementary question?

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note that the minister did not say whether she supported the minister's version of events or Optus's version of events, but I'll try again. On ABC Radio this morning, the Optus CEO said that this data was encrypted and had multiple layers of protection. On ABC's 7.30 last night, the Minister for Home Affairs accused Optus of having 'effectively left the window open for data of this nature to be stolen'. Minister, who is right here?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Self-evidently, the data could be stolen. I find it hard to believe that you come into this place, Senator Paterson, and are concerned about the minister saying that, when it's self-evidently the fact that the data has been stolen. The data has been stolen, and the government has been working, including with Optus, to try and resolve what has occurred with this data breach. But I think it is an odd thing to do, to come into this chamber and try to play politics on the basis—

Sorry—did you want to say something?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It is disorderly to engage across the Senate chamber, and I ask senators to remain quiet while Senator Wong concludes her answer.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I find it passing strange that you would come into this chamber being upset about a minister making a point that is demonstrated in fact. This data has been breached.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister's wrong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is wrong that the data has been breached?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator McGrath!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just think that's pretty extraordinary. We know that there has been a breach. I think that is not contended. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call Senator Paterson I would ask all senators and remind them that interjections are disorderly and that Senator Paterson has the right to ask his question in silence and Minister Wong has the right to respond to that question in silence. Senator Paterson.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of the response to the cyberattack, will the government expedite passport applications and waive fees of Optus customers whose passport details may have been compromised in this data leak?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a good question and I should say that obviously the situation is evolving and the government is considering how we respond to identified risks such as the one you have outlined. Regrettably, this occurs at a time when we already have a lot of pressure in the passport system as a consequence of the previous government's failure to plan for the massive spike in passport applications that occurred because people didn't renew whilst the borders were closed. I think I've been up-front with the public, and Assistant Minister Watts has been up-front with the public, about how we are trying to resolve that issue. But that is an issue that will take time, and we are still dealing with unprecedented demand, and this comes at a time when the system is already under pressure. (Time expired)