Cybersecurity

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (16:10): My question is to the Premier. Why did the Premier not reveal to South Australians the fact that the cyber attacks were so serious that the State Crisis Centre had to be deployed?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (16:10): I just refer—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the member to my previous answer. I will say that in 2019, as a new government, not only have we made a significant investment in terms of the budget but we have also developed a new cybersecurity policy framework, which is called the South Australian Cyber Security Framework. This directs and guides agencies through an approach for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving their cybersecurity posture.

We have learnt the lessons that have occurred in other jurisdictions. We have monitored the way that their data has been attacked, their response, and I've got to say we have a very proactive stance here in South Australia. We are not going to be able to avoid future cyber incidents in this state and in this government, but what we need to be doing is making sure that we are as prepared as we possibly can be, and that's precisely what we are doing.

There was $24.7 million in last year's budget. Undoubtedly, there will be more in future budgets here in South Australia, a very, very significant investment to developing workforce. As I said twice in my previous answer, and I am happy to repeat it again, we don't routinely comment on individual incidents. That's the policy of the government—in fact, I think that's a policy of most governments—unless there is a public interest outcome that would be served.

There is nothing further that I can provide to the house, save to re-emphasise just how seriously we are taking this. I am quite sure that as a world we will get through this global pandemic. I think the next major global disruption will be a cyber disruption. That's one of the reasons why we are investing to protect our own systems, upgrading our own resilience, and also making sure that we can take businesses and individuals in South Australia along with us.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for King, I call to order the Minister for Innovation and Skills and I call to order the Minister for Energy and Mining.