Media Release: DVA Privacy Class Action

Gordon Legal has today launched a landmark privacy class action on behalf of Australian veterans and their families, following revelations that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) routinely disclosed highly sensitive personal and medical information to the University of South Australia (UniSA).

The disclosures occurred as part of the Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services Program (MATES Program), which UniSA operated on behalf of DVA from 2004.

The program was shut down in February 2024 after the Defence and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee withdrew its ethics approval on 5 February 2024, triggering widespread concern across the veteran community.

The class action alleges that DVA unlawfully shared the sensitive personal information of approximately 300,000 veterans and their family members who held a DVA‑issued health card, known as “White” or “Gold” Cards.

The information disclosed is understood to include detailed medical information, such as mental health diagnoses, sexual health information, surgical histories, and alcohol and drug dependency issues, as well as personally identifiable information, including names, residential addresses, and dates of birth.

The unauthorised disclosure of personal and sensitive information can cause significant and lasting harm, including distress, psychological injury, and a loss of trust in DVA related services.

The impact is particularly severe for many veterans who are already managing permanent physical or psychological conditions resulting from their military service.

Gordon Legal is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been affected by this unauthorised disclosure to visit gordonlegal.com.au/dva for further information and to register their interest in the class action. Registrations are confidential and ensure participants receive updates as the matter progresses.

Media:
Laura Aridas | M | 0403 073 549 | [email protected]
Lucy Burnell | M | 0481 455 775 | [email protected]