7 May, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Deputy Premier, representing the Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, on the topic of data breaches.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Overnight, reports emerged that the international learning management system Canvas experienced a significant data breach on Saturday 2 May. Reports indicate that more than 200 million people could be impacted worldwide. It is understood that this cloud-based software is used by schools and universities across Australia, including both the Adelaide University and Flinders University.
According to reports from the ABC, a spokesperson for Flinders University in Adelaide said it had been informed that student and staff data within the Canvas platform may have been impacted. My question, therefore, to the Deputy Premier, representing the Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, is: has your government been briefed on the extent of the data breach on South Australians and what is the government doing to safeguard the personal information of South Australians that is being provided to third parties?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Arts, Special Minister of State) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his question. In relation to specifics about a recent data breach, I am not aware of a briefing being provided to government; certainly I haven't been provided with one. In relation to data, it is a very serious and important issue.
We live in an age and a world where information is stored online and we do see, particularly in the private sector in a number of areas over recent years, data breaches and malicious intent from players primarily not based within Australia. It is something that I know our government receives regular advice on, in cooperation with the federal government, the Federal Police and other agencies federally, and it is something that we take very seriously.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:54): Supplementary: is the minister concerned to learn that students at Adelaide University and Flinders University might have had their personal information compromised in this way?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (14:54): I think we are all concerned when we hear of data breaches anywhere, whether they be in institutions like universities, private sector companies or any other form.