SA LOTTERIES

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Government Enterprises a question about the systems applied at SA Lotteries to protect information assets.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: I understand that SA Lotteries has worked hard to achieve high standards in its operations. My question to the minister is: how have SA Lotteries' efforts to improve its standards been recognised recently?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I am pleased to be able to tell the chamber that SA Lotteries continues to work to maintain the highest standard of security over information and system processes, as the SA Lotteries commission and management consider those aspects that are crucial to its business.

I can announce that on 9 September, SA Lotteries attained certification with the international information standard AS/NZS, and there is a code after that which I will not go into. This achievement is the result of a rigorous auditing and accreditation process undertaken by SAI Global, a worldwide integrated supplier of standards registration and certification audits.

The information processes and operations of SA Lotteries have been given thorough scrutiny before each compliance requirement has been achieved. I am advised that this is an internationally recognised and respected standard that demonstrates both integrity and an organisation's adherence to the most stringent information and system security controls.

All information, including Easiplay Club data on individual players, is subject to controls to ensure the appropriate level of protection attaches to all information. SA Lotteries can assure customers of privacy, security and safety of their personal information. The certification mark of this standard signifies to stakeholders, the public and the lottery industry more broadly that SA Lotteries has secure systems. Importantly, that can guarantee confidentiality to customers, that SA Lotteries operates to best practice standards in information management.

Compliance with this information security standard is also required for accreditation with the World Lottery Association (WLA) Security Control Standard and the state government's protective security management framework, which is a whole of government security standard.

SA Lotteries is now focusing on achieving accreditation with WLA standard and ensuring that the implementation of the standards facilitate compliance with the government framework. Certification to this information security standard builds on SA Lotteries' previous achievement to certification of the standard prior to that, which SA Lotteries gained in March 2002 and which recognised SA Lotteries' quality management system. This is subject to regular external auditing.

SA Lotteries also has received the highest accreditation under the World Lottery Association Responsible Gambling Framework. SA Lotteries remains one of 23 lottery jurisdictions worldwide, and the only jurisdiction in Australia, to have received global recognition for operating at the highest level of responsible gambling standards. SA Lotteries, the commission and staff, are to be congratulated for their dedication to reaching and maintaining such high and excellent standards.