‘Asleep at the Wheel’: Senator Decries Labor Over Data Leaks, Warns of Million-Dollar Losses

Hume’s remarks come in response to revelations of mishandled information, raising concerns about the government’s ability to safeguard sensitive data.

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume during a doorstop in the media gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 18, 2021. Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume strongly criticised Labor’s response to recent data leaks, accusing the finance minister of being “asleep at the wheel” while taxpayers faced potential million-dollar losses.

The Department of Finance launched an investigation after an accidental email leak to suppliers exposed sensitive contract information and personal details of hundreds of service providers.