Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:34): (2086) This month it was revealed that there was a major data breach – a cybersecurity incident – with respect to the Department of Education. I have been approached by a number of my constituents locally in Ringwood across the electorate, and in particular parents who are most concerned that not only their data as parents but also the data of their children – that is, their names, their email addresses and other details – have been potentially hacked and obtained by third parties unknown to the Department of Education. Some of these parents hold a particular status in our community. They have backgrounds in law enforcement and other professions, and they have a genuine concern for their safety and the safety of their children, notwithstanding they also have a concern for the privacy of their residences and the addresses that are associated with them. I would appreciate from the Minister for Education some guidance in respect to whether the addresses of both parents and children have been breached.