Cybersecurity
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:35): (87) My question is for the Minister for Environment. Minister, a freedom-of-information request on DEECA’s decision to reverse its planned TikTok ban shows that in January 2023 TikTok was installed on 69 active DEECA-managed devices, and I ask: how many of those 69 devices are held by DEECA bureaucrats within the environment section of the department, for which you are responsible?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:36): Wow, I did not prep that one! I understand that cybersecurity is a very important issue for all of our government departments and agencies, and I will endeavour to get a little bit of information for Mr Davis. He is obviously really very specific about what he wants to know about this, but I will provide a written response in accordance with the standing orders.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:36): Therefore I ask as a supplementary: Minister, isn’t it a fact that the DEECA IT security advice says those bureaucrats who have installed TikTok on DEECA devices, in the environment section and elsewhere, should follow that advice and remove TikTok immediately?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:37): Far be it from me to question the accuracy of Mr Davis’s assertions contained in that supplementary question, but I will of course go and double-check these matters. I would expect that all of our hardworking DEECA staff would be adhering to all of the policies and procedures that are in place regarding IT and indeed beyond IT matters.