Police refer Barilaro traffic fines leak to privacy watchdog
A complaint about an alleged data breach that publicised the details of Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s driving penalties has been referred to the NSW Privacy Commission.
NSW
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Police have referred an alleged data breach involving the driving penalties of Deputy Premier John Barilaro to the NSW Privacy Commission.
It can be revealed police inquired into the incident after details of Mr Barilaro’s traffic infringements — including a possible licence suspension — were made public.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has told Mr Barilaro in writing that the matter has been referred.
“Following inquiries and further assessment, the NSW Police Force has referred the matter to the NSW Privacy Commissioner for consideration,” a police spokesman said.
“Commissioner Fuller has written to the Deputy Premier to advise the same.”
The Nationals leader was caught speeding and using his mobile phone while behind the wheel of a ministerial car in September.
Mr Barilaro’s office confirmed he would pay the fines and “cop all penalties” immediately, but his office questioned how details of the penalties were leaked to media.
The infringements were passed to Mr Barilaro by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which controls ministerial cars.
It is unclear who referred the allegations of a data breach to the police, although Nationals sources said many in the party had been angered by the release of the information.
The leak occurred after Mr Barilaro threatened to “blow up” the Coalition at the height of a brawl with the Liberals over a koala planning policy.
The Monaro MP later took leave for a month, to address his mental health following the bushfires and the death of his father.
Mr Barilaro’s office declined to comment on the matter.