Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I am advised that the minister was aware of claims that a Vodafone employee accessed the phone records of a Fairfax reporter. The Telecommunications Act 1997 and the Privacy Act 1988 provide strong protections prohibiting unauthorised access of a person's telecommunications information. It is also an offence under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 for anyone to access a stored communication without a warrant. This includes text messages. I understand that Vodafone has issued a statement about the matter, advising that it commissioned an independent investigation. I understand that Vodafone has taken action as a result of this incident to strengthen its internal privacy arrangements and has appointed a dedicated privacy officer.