[Greens-Media] Refugees hit by data breach need protection

[Schultz-Byard, Noah (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Refugees hit by data breach need protection

Following the release of the Privacy Commissioner's report into an incident, where the personal details of thousands of refugees was exposed by the Immigration Department, the government must take action to guarantee the safety of those involved, the Australian Greens have said.

"The damage has been done and now the government has to explain how it will keep these people safe," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"It is extremely concerning that the Immigration Department has failed to explain what it is doing to lessen the fallout from their failure.

"The fact that these people have been exposed to harm because of this breach must be factored in to the processing of their claims for protection.

"Improperly handling anyone's private information is always serious but, because these people were seeking asylum, this breach has possibly put thousands of lives at risk. It has also exposed the Australian tax payer to millions of dollars in potential damages.

"Those affected may well deserve significant compensation, but what they need more is safety.

"I urge the government to clean up their mess properly, once and for all."


Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760


NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
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