Fri, 04 Nov 2022 - 09:13
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MEDIA RELEASE - SHORTEN STILL MISSING IN ACTION ON POTENTIAL SERVICES AUSTRALIA CUSTOMER FRAUD

Bill Shorten is continuing his refusal to update the Australian public on whether Australians’ data stolen through the Optus, Medibank, AHM and MedLab data breaches was hacked, Shadow Minister for Government Services, Paul Fletcher MP, said today. 

 

“It has been close to a month since Services Australia started auditing sensitive customer information, but Mr Shorten has left Australians in the dark on the fate of their stolen data,” Mr Fletcher said. 

 

“These are basic facts Mr Shorten should have revealed by now and that Australians whose data was stolen are entitled to know.

 

“The Opposition has called on Mr Shorten to urgently provide timely and accurate advice as to whether any Medicare and Centrelink details have been used to fraudulently claim government payments and services - but no explanation has been offered. 

 

“It remains deeply concerning that Services Australia still isn’t planning on letting customers know if their data wasn’t hacked, for example, to fraudulently claim payments.

 

“Australians should be able to proactively check with Services Australia if their own personal information has been used fraudulently, but as it stands no such option has been provided by Mr Shorten and his agency.

 

“This lack of basic customer service is creating unnecessary anxiety and undermines Australians’ confidence in their data security. 

 

“Australians are not getting the information they need from the system - so the Opposition will use Senate Estimates next week to seek his information from government officials.  

 

“Mr Shorten should come out of hiding and direct his agency to make available all relevant material through the Estimates process,” Mr Fletcher said.

 

ENDS