Data breach leaves state potentially liable for more than $700k in compo

Former government ministers are demanding answers after their private addresses were leaked by the Premier’s Department.

Premier Chris Minns’ department is at the centre of a “catastrophic” privacy breach after publishing the home addresses of almost 20 former Coalition ministers, leaving current and former MPs fearing for their safety.

In the latest twist of the ministerial drivers saga, the NSW government’s top department failed to redact former ministers’ home addresses from driver booking logs published online on Wednesday.

Former ministers impacted by the extraordinary data breach – including ministers responsible for sensitive police and counter-terror portfolios – say they have been forced to take steps to protect their families, and are considering taking legal action.

There are also calls for security arrangements for former MPs to be urgently reviewed.

The state could now be liable for as much as $720,000 in compensation payments.

Premier Chris Minns’ department has been accused of a ‘catastrophic’ privacy breach. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The Premier’s Department was plunged into crisis on Thursday, after bureaucrats realised that they failed to redact highly sensitive personal details from documents released under freedom of information laws.

The material was online for six hours before being taken down.

Parliamentary officials are understood to have been furious at the privacy breach.

Former ministers said Speaker Greg Piper and parliamentary security officials had been frantically trying to reassure MPs about their safety.

The documents specifically listed then-ministers’ “home” or “residence” as locations for pick-up and drop-off in drivers’ logs.

Former premier Dominic Perrottet, Liberal leader Mark Speakman and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders were among some 18 current and former MPs who had their addresses published.

The home addresses of Nationals leader Dugald Saunders (left) and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman were made public. Picture: Nikki Short

Mr Speakman and Mr Saunders have now demanded an explanation over how the “serious security risk” occurred.

“The Premier’s Department … failed to protect the personal addresses of current and former members of parliament, including former premiers,” Mr Speakman said.

“This is a serious security risk, and the Premier needs to explain how his government let this happen and what steps he’s taking to ensure it never happens again.”

The Nationals leader said the breach had left Nationals MPs feeling vulnerable and violated. “Serious questions need to be asked about how this could possibly have happened,” he said.

Former police minister David Elliott was among those told by bureaucrats by that their addresses “may” have been published.

Mr Elliott said it was an “inexcusable” error, over which heads should roll.

According to the Privacy Commission, people whose “personal information” is wrongly released by a government agency are eligible for compensation payments of up to $40,000.

The monumental privacy breach could leave the state liable for more than $600,000 in payments.

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Originally published as Data breach leaves state potentially liable for more than $700k in compo