Centrelink CEO Jeff Whalan has announced the interim results of its monitoring of staff viewing of customer records.

A total of 585 staff have been sanctioned over the last year for code of conduct violations (ie customer records being accessed for non-business reasons) with staff penalties ranging from warnings through to dismissal.

This included 19 dismissals, 92 resignations and more than 300 salary reductions or fines with the bulk of the balance receiving demotions, reprimands or warnings. Five cases have been referred to the Australian Federal Police or Director of Public Prosecutions.

UPDATE:

Privacy
Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has reinforced the need for Australian
Government agencies to ensure they are meeting their obligations under
the Privacy Act.

"It is important that Australian Government
agencies meet their obligations under the Privacy Act to protect
individual’s personal information", said Ms Curtis.

"My Office
was aware of the project Centrelink was undertaking to strengthen
privacy protections within the agency and was recently briefed on the
preliminary results. As part of that briefing Centrelink also outlined
the internal strategies it has in place including policies, staff
education and awareness and training to reinforce good privacy practice.

"Centrelink has an
information line which individuals can contact about this issue (1800
050 004). Alternatively, individuals can contact my privacy enquiry
line on 1300 363 992", said Ms Curtis.