Alteration of Records

Breaches of Privacy

Breakdowns in Accountability

Catastrophes

Deliberate or Illegal Destruction of Records

Inadequate Corporate Recordkeeping Systems

Inappropriate Disposal of Records

Non-compliance

Operational and Organisational Failures

Breeches of Privacy

24 ATO staff sacked over privacy breaches

The Australian Taxation Office has taken action against twenty-four of its staff members for inappropriately accessing client files last financial year, with another three recently under investigation.

ATO spokesperson Anne Ellison said the ATO had installed a system to monitor unauthorised access to high-profile taxpayers including celebrities and sportspeople. Out of the twenty four employees caught spying, twelve resigned on the spot, four were sacked, two were fined and six had their salaries cut or were demoted. Only two in the group were ultimately prosecuted for breaches of the Tax Administration Act, with one sentenced to community service and the other receiving a fine.

Source Australian IT August 2006

Centrelink staff sacked over inappropriate access to client files

A Centrelink Australia investigation has uncovered 790 cases of inappropriate access to the records of welfare recipients since 2004, The Australian newspaper reports.

Almost 600 staff were detected in the electronic survey making inappropriate access to files, and five of the cases have been referred to the Australian Federal Police for possible prosecution.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald August 2006

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