With the recent QANTAS customer data breach front of mind, the proper handling of data and personal information is critical for both emergency service and regulatory agencies alike.
Data is a valuable and highly prized asset for government agencies, as it informs decision making, enables operations and ensure transparency and accountability. As a result, effective investment in data governance, security and proper use are more important than ever in our rapidly changing world.
To this end, on 30 June 2025, the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) released its latest public report:
Governance of Data: Audit Lessons & Insights
As a result of its continuing audit work, the ANAO had identified both good practices and significant deficiencies around the use and governance of data across several Australian federal government agencies. Based on audit reports, the Audit Lessons and Insights document offers salient and timely lessons via several case studies. All of which is valuable learning for both regulators and emergency service personnel.
Key to understanding the importance of these issues, is clarity around legislative and policy accountability, which involves the following:
- Privacy Act 1988
- Archive Act, 1983
- Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022
- Freedom of Information Act 1982; and
- Commonwealth Protective Security Framework
All of this is underpinned by Australian Government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy. Launched in December 2023, this strategy aims to harmonise and streamline data and digital technologies used by the Australian Public Service through to 2030.
