‘THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD US’
COUNCIL PRIVACY FARCE: ‘Blindsided’ Geelong councillors slam plan to move personal data of thousands offshore
GEELONG councillors have vowed to investigate how a plan to transfer the personal information of 25,000 leisure centre members overseas was approved.
Councillors were not consulted and Mayor Stephanie Asher said there was “no question” the process had been mismanaged.
Cr Eddy Kontelj compared the situation to council’s parking fiasco last year.
CONCERNED councillors have vowed to investigate how a plan to transfer the personal information of 25,000 of the City of Greater Geelong’s leisure centre members overseas was approved.
After the council’s bombshell blunder was revealed in the Geelong Advertiser, Mayor Stephanie Asher said there was “no question” the process had been mismanaged.
“I think we are all understandably sensitive to how and why our data is being collected,” Cr Asher said.
“My understanding is that there was no deliberate attempt to put this through quietly — it was more a significant process oversight and very poor communication.
“The situation is being managed by the CEO. He is very aware that the way this was handled is unacceptable.
“No one’s data has been affected at this stage and I am confident that the CEO will take all the necessary steps to investigate how this happened.”
The controversial plan, which is being probed by the state’s Information Commissioner, is now “on hold”.
Brownbill Ward councillor Eddy Kontelj said he was “blindsided” by the situation, comparing it to the parking fiasco last year that saw fees hiked without councillors being informed.
Councillors were not consulted about the data plan, and Cr Kontelj said he was “extremely concerned”.
They were advised on Saturday that an internal investigation was under way, he said.
“When it comes to the transferring of private information … you just can’t do it without obtaining proper consent,” Cr Kontelj said.
“I’m absolutely concerned and need to understand how this has occurred.”
He said he believed councillors should have been consulted, or at least advised, on the implications of the changes.
Fellow Brownbill Ward councillor Peter Murrihy said it appeared “not a lot of thought” had gone into the plan.
“This is not ideal — it shouldn’t happen, but it has,” Cr Murrihy said.
“The sooner we get the answers expected the better.”
He said he believed councillors should have been briefed.
Bellarine Ward councillor Trent Sullivan said the issue was “concerning” and that councillors had sought more information.
He said that while councillors had faith that officers were using best practice, in this case there needed to be councillor oversight.
Council’s director of community life, Robyn Stevens, said the City had taken action to ensure the proposal was on hold and was thoroughly investigating the matter.
“Protecting the privacy and safety of our community remains paramount for the City,” Ms Stevens said.
“We reiterate that no data has been transferred.”
IT WAS MORE A SIGNIFICANT PROCESS OVERSIGHT AND VERY POOR COMMUNICATION ... THE SITUATION IS BEING MANAGED BY THE CEO. HE IS VERY AWARE THAT THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED IS UNACCEPTABLE.”