The Issue Podcast: Tech expert questions how Canberra is handling data on the budget, health and MP travel

Key points

• Software engineer Samuel Spencer has warned that Canberra's handling of sensitive government data is a national scandal. He says budget, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and parliamentary travel information is kept on outdated spreadsheet software, leaving it open to misuse.
• The Department of Finance says it does not use Excel to manage special accounts or special appropriations. It says its internal documents are protected by established security controls.
• Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said he has a high degree of confidence in how information is managed.