Thursday, 31 October 2024

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (22:05): (1252) My question is directed to the Attorney-General. The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, VOCAT, a state government authority, recently sent details outlining proposed changes to the scheme by email, and in a massive breach of privacy included the personal email addresses of over 480 recipients, including victims of crime. The email was sent on Thursday 26 September, and was sent with the subject heading: ‘Important information on transition from VOCAT to new financial assistance scheme’. One of those impacted said they felt very violated, as it is stressful enough waiting on a hearing and then your details are exposed. They said people were asking to be removed and were cc’ing the whole group – a distressing experience for all involved. One recipient replied to all on the email chain and reported they tried to contact VOCAT on Thursday afternoon via phone, and after 1½ hours were told ‘No comment.’ I am advised that VOCAT tried to recall the message, then sent an email that stated that this email was sent in error:

… we apologise. We are working to recall and contain the message. Please disregard and delete the previous email.

A further email chain included 189 people from the original email chain that was sent from an inappropriate and offensive email address, and they continued to send emails that would have been very distressing for any recipient. I will not go into the details in this forum due to the nature of the content, but I am happy to provide further details to the Attorney-General if needed. Following this significant breach, one recipient called the information line provided and was advised to head into the local police station to talk to the sergeant on duty. They had to retell their story, and then again to another acting sergeant – with a further two phone calls from police, again having to retell the story, as the officer from the night before was not on shift. Then there was another call, from the criminal investigation unit – and so it continues.

This error by VOCAT has caused significant distress and anxiety to this recipient and, I expect, to many recipients. This is sensitive information that was entrusted to a government organisation, and the privacy of victims of crime should have been protected. Now victims are having to relive this and deal with the trauma of seeing other people’s information as well as being contacted directly by a known criminal. This privacy breach has caused significant stress and trauma to many victims of crime. As they are the minister with responsibility for this state government authority, the action I seek is for the Attorney-General to outline what action has been taken to offer protection, support and financial compensation to those directly impacted and what steps have been taken to address this issue from a systems perspective to ensure that it never happens again.

The PRESIDENT: Mrs Broad, the Attorney has informed me that would be in the remit of the Minister for Victim Support. Are you happy for that action to be sent to that minister, for the victims of crime?

Gaelle BROAD: Okay.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you. If the minister could send that to that particular minister.