Daniel Andrews’ cabinet witch-hunt

Shadow Attorney-General, John Pesutto

Background:

At the end of a second chaotic year, Daniel Andrews’ Government has potentially breached another law.  This time it’s the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Mr David Watts, Victoria’s Privacy and Data Commissioner, has written to Daniel Andrews because of concerns that his decree that all mobile phones of Cabinet Ministers and a number of public servants be audited, could breach the privacy of individuals entitled to the protection of this Act.

Breaches of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 carry serious consequences, including compensation of up to $100,000.

Given that the mobile phone audit by KPMG will likely cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, Daniel Andrews’ unhinged and paranoid behaviour could come at an even greater price.

Comments attributable to Shadow Attorney-General, John Pesutto:

Just because Daniel Andrews can’t keep his Cabinet colleagues loyal, doesn’t mean he can spend taxpayer dollars on a witch-hunt invading the privacy of innocent employees.

This move by the Premier is just creepy, Daniel Andrews should not be playing spy and trawling through workers personal data in this way.

The paranoia and distrust in the Andrews Government must be extreme to revert to such radical measures and potential privacy breaches.

Media contact:      Michael Lewis         0433 495 454       michael.lewis@opposition.vic.gov.au