SUBJECTS: Optus hack and Melbourne Cup
SARAH ABO, HOST: We're hearing the Optus hacker has released 10,000 records and says another 10,000 will be released each day for the next four days. This is hugely concerning. It's having a huge impact and we have been inundated with messages from you at home about your experience. Midna says she's been bombarded by text messages and phone calls on my mobile phone. Jake says he still hasn't even been notified of the breach. Meanwhile, Kirsty says, I rang Optus months ago complaining about the amount of spam calls and texts I was receiving, now this happens. It's not good enough, Optus. There are a lot of very unhappy customers. Now, I'm joined by Minister for Government Services, Bill Shorten, and 2GB radio host, Jim Wilson, in the studio. Good to have you both with me.
JIM WILSON, 2GB Host: Hey, Sarah. Hey, Bill.
BILL SHORTEN, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Good morning.
ABO: Now, the AFP has launched Operation Hurricane in response to this, a global hunt for the hackers. Bill, I want to come to you first. This is impacting thousands of people. The government's flagging some changes that it wants to make. Is it enough?
SHORTEN: Well, first of all, we want Optus to look after its customers. Based on what I've been told, Optus hasn't done enough. They have done not enough to protect its customers and their follow up needs to be much more diligent. Claire O'Neil, our Minister for Home Affairs, is coordinating our response. I think it's time for a giant overhaul- or not a giant overhaul, but a big overhaul of how data's kept by our large corporations. So we're doing everything we can to try and apprehend the hackers. But there's no doubt that the defences of the company were, as I've been informed, inadequate, and they've got to reach out and support their customers. That's what we want to do.
ABO: But Bill, how is it that in 2022 these defence mechanisms aren't sophisticated enough to deal with this kind of a hack?
SHORTEN: Well, they should be. Listen, the hackers are very clever. They're very nefarious, but I think some of the large corporations over the last couple of days need to make sure that they're doing everything they can to protect people's data. Also, it raises the question of how long big corporations should keep people's data.
ABO: Well, that's the thing, Jim, isn't it? We're hearing from customers old and new, they're all compromised as well even if you're not with Optus anymore.
WILSON: Well, there's been reports that some people left Optus a year or two ago and their passport details, their licence details, are still in the system for data information for police investigations. Surely a number and a name suffices.
ABO: Yeah.
WILSON: I'm with Bill here. I think that- and I applaud Minister O'Neil yesterday in Question Time. She didn't muck around here. I mean, the bottom line is there has to be a responsibility by Optus. They've let down their customers, big time. The communication, Sarah, has been- and crisis management has been shambolic.
SHORTEN: Dreadful.
ABO: Absolutely.
WILSON: And it's not enough for a big corporation. I'm glad that Minister O'Neil also said that big corporations and telcos for similar breaches will face hefty fines. So they should. There's a lot of answers and judging by the feedback you're getting from our viewers this morning, there's a lot of unhappy Optus customers out there and rightfully so.
ABO: And how about Optus now offering protection subscription to clients? I mean, it's too little too late.
WILSON: The horse has bolted hasn't it? I mean, fair dinkum.
ABO: The horse has bolted. And I mean, maybe it is going to- like, Slater and Gordon is warning of a potential class action, maybe that's what it'll take…
WILSON: Absolutely.
ABO: …for these telcos to change.
WILSON: Maybe even- I mean, how about also offering those customers effective- maybe like three to six months of free calls and whatever else. I mean, they've got to- there has to be a sweetener here because, I mean, again, people are being compromised, their sensitive information. But again, I go back to the communication. Finding out stuff through the media. Yes, we're here to inform but the- I'm sorry, but Optus had a duty of care and responsibility and they've failed their customers big time.
ABO: It has massive snowball impacts as well, doesn't it?
WILSON: Yeah.
ABO: Well, let's move on a little bit now and I want to take you to a Sydney councillor who wants Melbourne Cup screenings in public venues banned due to gambling and animal cruelty concerns. Bill, this is a Greens councillor in Lane Cove who's proposing the ban. She believes it promotes and fuels animal cruelty and suffering and sends the wrong message to the community. I mean, we often see protestors out the front of Flemington on Cup Day, do you think she has a similar point to make here?
SHORTEN: Well, Flemington's in my electorate. You know, I'm probably going to send this Greens councillor into space, I can't wait for the Melbourne Cup to be run. I like the Spring Carnival. I used to be a Union rep in the racing industry. Animal welfare has to be paramount. There's no question about that. The industry has really lifted its standards but, you know, any cruelty to animals is- to horses is unacceptable. But I think we're capable of making sure that horses are treated well and still have racing. I do accept there is a proportion of the population, perhaps it's a generational thing, who don't like horse racing. We've had this discussion in my own family. But the Spring Carnival's just what Melbourne needs. It's a marvellous event. It's a giant party. And if this Greens councillor says that people shouldn't drink and gamble, well, change the laws in Australia for everyone. Don't pick on the Melbourne Cup. I think it's one of the most joyous expressions of people coming out and having a great party. I'm looking forward to it and perhaps the Greens councillor should come along to it rather than bag it.
ABO: Yeah, Jim, it's the race that stops the nation but she wants to stop the race.
WILSON: Well, it's outrageous. I mean, fair dinkum. Just concentrate on footpaths and potholes and garbage collection.
ABO: Yeah.
WILSON: I mean, you know- no, I'm serious. I mean, it's Lane Cove. Stay in your lanes, councillor. Like, I'm sorry but it's- I read this last night and went- and I'm with Bill. I mean, even not just for people in Melbourne or in his electorate, but around the country. You know, and the regulations around horse welfare has improved out of sight. I don't want to see horse- you know, I'm one of the staunchest advocates of protecting the horse's welfare, but come on, Lane Cove Plaza. Three o'clock on the first Tuesday in November for five minutes, for the businesses around there, for people to have an escape. She wants to- instead of replacing it with market stalls on the Tuesday night or whatever. I mean, give me- it's a school night. That's not going to work. It's a race. If she doesn't like the Melbourne Cup, okay, don't watch it. But let other people go and enjoy it, whether it be in Melbourne or around the country. I mean, I just- yeah, again, with councillors I just sort of go, can you just focus on what really matters to ratepayers and that's essential services.
ABO: Yeah. We've got to stop giving people- cutting people off from making choices for themselves as well, right?
WILSON: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, sure.
ABO: I mean, it's getting a bit ridiculous. Jim, Bill, thank you both for your time. We have run out there. We could talk for hours but we appreciate you coming in.
WILSON: Thanks, Sarah. Thanks, Bill.
