Media release – Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for Science and Technology, 6 April 2023
Cyber security investigation ongoing
The Tasmanian Government is continuing to investigate the possible theft of data from third-party file transfer service, GoAnywhere MFT.
Minister for Science and Technology, Madeleine Ogilvie, said while there are no new developments to announce today, assurances can be made that arrangements will be bolstered over the Easter break.
“Additional resources will be deployed over Easter in case the improper release of data is detected,” she said.
As announced on Wednesday, the latest investigations indicate a risk that financial data from the Department for Education, Children and Young People may have been accessed in the global incident.
This may include names, addresses, invoices and bank account numbers.
It is important people stay alert for any suspicious financial activity or attempted scams.
“I understand reports such as this may cause concern in the community and that is why we continue to keep the community updated,” Minister Ogilvie said.
“What isn’t helpful, is the scare mongering and misinformation being peddled by the Opposition on this issue.
“Labor’s ongoing personal attacks are appalling, but not surprising given the toxicity of that Party which has driven many from their ranks.
“At no point have I said there was no risk and no threat to Tasmanian’s data. Throughout this process I have been provided with a range of information, and when it was possible to make it public, that is when I have done so.
“During yesterday’s erratic radio interview, the opposition spokeswoman, Jen Butler, said the government shouldn’t negotiate with terrorists – what an inflammatory and irresponsible comment.
“Ms Butler was also unable to provide any source for her specific claims when asked by the ABC.
“She may think she is scoring a political point, but she is blatantly and wilfully ignoring the fact she is causing harm and risks causing further harm.
“The Tasmanian Government is committed to taking a Team Tasmania approach and working together with businesses and the community to meet the ongoing challenge of cyber security.
“If the Labor Party genuinely wanted to keep Tasmanian data safe, they would participate in a non-partisan approach instead of inflaming situations unnecessarily.”
Media release – AEU Tasmania, 6 Tasmania 2023
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The below can attributed to Australian Education Union Tasmania President David Genford:
The Australian Education Union Tasmania Branch is deeply concerned by reports of a recent data leak from the Department of Education, Children and Young People.
The AEU strongly urges the Rockliff Government to deliver an open and transparent assessment of what has occurred, and inform all persons impacted by this breach about the data that has been compromised, and what action is being taken in response.
The safety and security of Tasmania’s students and educators are of paramount importance, and any compromise of their privacy should be taken extremely seriously.
Failing to properly inform people affected by this data breach shows a Minister and Government out of touch with the concerns of their workforce and community. The Minister’s referral to ‘headmasters’, a term not used for Principals in decades, further demonstrates just how out of touch this Government has become.
Media release – Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Labor Leader, 7 April 2023
Leadership needed over data breach
I have this morning written to the Premier to request an urgent briefing on the Department of Education data breach and the Government’s response.
A similar request was made to Minister Ogilvie at the beginning of this week, which she refused. It is inexcusable how she has handled this crisis over the past fortnight.
Now today it has been revealed that the names, addresses and dates of birth of Tasmanian school students have been released on the dark web.
Students and their parents are rightly concerned, and it is vital the Premier starts to show the leadership that such a serious situation demands.
Jeremy Rockliff needs to tell Tasmanians what exactly has occurred, what his Government is going to do to manage this extremely concerning data breach, what support is available to families who fear they have been affected, and how that support can be accessed.
Media release – Josh Willie MLC, Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years, 7 April 2023
Jaensch must do more to protect vulnerable children
Minister for Education and Early Years Roger Jaensch has failed in his duty of care to Tasmanian parents and children.
Like the parents of thousands of Tasmanian schoolchildren, I am concerned and angry that personal details have made it onto the dark web.
This is an egregious failure by the Minister and his department.
We are in this situation because the government has not done the basics in ensuring that personal information is safe and secure.
The Rockliff government took its eye off the ball regarding key priorities for government a long time ago and its arrogance, failure to govern, lack of competence and accountability has caused this horrendous situation.
The Education Minister must take responsibility and list the type of information that has been released on his watch.
Media release – Jen Butler MP, Shadow Minister for ICT, Science and Technology, 7 April 2023
Ogilvie fails to protect Tasmanian children
Revelations this morning that sensitive data has been released by Russian hackers highlights once again just how badly Minister Ogilvie has mishandled this extremely serious situation.
It is unconscionable that Madeleine Ogilvie has downplayed the significance of this data breach every step of the way, meanwhile knowing that the situation was likely to be much worse than she was letting on.
Yesterday she could not even front the media to provide an update on the data breach, instead putting out a press release attacking the Labor Party.
We knew this was serious. We knew data containing sensitive information about children, businesses and parents was at risk, and we were calling on this Minister to be upfront with Tasmanians.
It was made clear in mid-January that the third party software being used by the State Government had serious issues in regards to cyber security, however Minister Ogilvie did not act.
It is no surprise that we have the worst cyber security in the country given the cuts to funding made by the Liberal Government, starting in 2014.
Tasmanians deserve to know exactly what is going on, and Tasmanians deserve a Government that ensures their sensitive data is protected.
Instead, Madeleine Ogilvie failed to secure Tasmanians’ personal data and then spent a fortnight concealing the truth about just how serious this data breach was. Her conduct has been unforgivable.
Tasmanians now have no confidence she is capable of dealing with this crisis. It is time for the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, to show some leadership, sack his Minister and take charge of the situation himself.
