Privacy breach … Former infantry soldier Paul Golle on duty in East Timor. Picture: Supplied
THE personal documents of war veterans including medical, psychological and compensation payment details, have been leaked to other veterans by the federal government.
News Corp Australia has identified four cases of serious privacy breaches after documents were leaked to two veterans who received material from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
In one case a veteran received another vet’s personal correspondence as well as a so-called “tip-off” document concerning his own DVA file.
Leaked … The confidential “tip-off” document received by veteran Paul Golle. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
The “tip-off” was clearly marked “confidential” and should never have been seen by Army Veteran Paul Golle.
The document identified the person providing the tip-off who is a compliance officer with the Department of Immigration.
A second veteran received a variety of typed and hand written documents including “medical in confidence” details of assessments of veterans who were clearly identified but whose names have been redacted by News Corp.
Confidential … A selection of the private documents of veterans received by another in an FOI response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (redacted for privacy reasons). Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Mr Golle joined the army in 1987 — served in Africa and East Timor — and was medically discharged 17 years later in 2004.
Discharged … Former soldier Paul Golle (centre) and comrades in East Timor in 2001. Picture: supplied.Source:Supplied
When he received correspondence from the DVA recently he was shocked to find another veteran’s private correspondence attached to the file.
He promptly returned it and contacted the department and the Privacy Commissioner.
“They didn’t believe me,” he said.
“There were no questions, no instructions and I was just treated me as if I was making it up.”
He also contacted Immigration regarding the “tip-off” but it also didn’t want to know.
Mr Golle said the DVA made veterans jump through hoops over claims, but then treated them with contempt when they pointed out departmental breaches and mistakes.
Private … One of the personal documents received by a veteran with an FOI file. Pic supplied.Source:Supplied
Another veteran (who cannot be identified) received the private correspondence of two others in a package of documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws and was shocked by the discovery.
A selection of the private documents of veterans received by another in an FOI response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (redacted for privacy reasons). Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
The documents included personal medical and psychological assessments and compensation payment details.
A leaked private document detailing a veterans compensation claim. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
The damaged veteran has been fighting with the DVA for some time over compensation claims and was deeply affected by the leak.
“If this has happened with my file then my documents could be attached to other people’s files.
“I don’t want to return the documents to the DVA for fear of retribution.”
Both Mr Golle and the other veteran said the DVA was out of control and judging by the number of people who responded to a veterans’ Facebook site many other private files have been leaked by the department.
Questions … Minister for Veterans Affairs Michael Ronaldson. Picture: Valeriu CampanSource:News Corp Australia
Mr Golle also contacted the offices of Minister Michael Ronaldson’s and Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie but said he was fobbed off by both of them.
Fobbed off … Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie. Picture: Peter LorimerSource:News Corp Australia
The DVA refused to answer specific questions about the matter unless News Corp Australia identified the veteran who had received the documents.
This directly contradicts its own policy of refusing to answer questions about specific cases due to the Privacy Act.
The second veteran who provided the leaked documents to News Corp declined to be identified.
A DVA spokesperson said that during 2014-15 it had received no reports of privacy breaches resulting from releases of information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
“On the rare occasions when a breach of privacy is reported as a result of a release under FOI, the Department follows the guidance of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC),” the spokesperson said.
The DVA Charter highlights its commitment to “privacy, integrity and service”.
Any veteran who has received another’s private documents can contact ian.mcphedran@news.com.au.