Printer’s email held $5 secrets

THE company that prints Australian bank notes was concerned two unauthorised leaks of sensitive information last year could have helped counterfeiters forge the new $5 note, the Fair Work Commission has heard.

In the most serious breach, a printer at Note Printing Australia (NPA), a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia, was dismissed after sending work emails to his personal email account that included sensitive technical information about the note, which was released in September last year.

But another employee escaped with a first warning after disclosing the background of the new note on social media site Reddit and discussing security features, the company’s clients, suppliers and release dates of particular notes.

The company deemed his behaviour inappropriate but ruled the information he discussed was already public.

Ross Hemmingson, who was fired for sending 30 emails, including three with sensitive information, to his Hotmail account in July last year argued he was treated more harshly than the other employee.

In a decision handed down last Wednesday in Melbourne, Commissioner Anna-Lee Cribb found Mr Hemmingson’s conduct provided a valid reason for dismissal but “on fine balance” of other circumstances his dismissal was harsh and unreasonable. She ordered that Mr Hemmingson receive compensation.