Australians should be able to keep physical evidence of their property deeds as the theft of personal customer information at Optus further demonstrates the vulnerability of electronic records to hacking.

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said property was the biggest investment most Australians ever made and called for deeds to be issued to owners on paper so they can be kept safe.

“Cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and more brazen,” Senator Hanson said. “Whether it’s activist and terrorist ‘hackers’ or the cyber-warfare being waged by China’s communist regime, the security of our personal records and details are under constant threat.

“Governments and businesses are being forced to invest more and more money into cyber-security and for individual Australians, hardly a week goes by when we don’t have to upgrade the security of our smartphones and computers.

“Few Australians these days have physical evidence of the deeds to their property. They’re kept in electronic form at title offices, which in some cases have been sold or leased to private operators. What’s preventing some hacker from removing or changing these records?

“Deeds on paper really mean something. They’re physical evidence of the sacrifices you’ve made, and the economic security and family stability that home ownership represents. It’s tangible evidence of something you’ve worked hard to earn and be proud of.

“While title offices are the responsibility of states and territories, carriage services and their security are a Federal matter. It’s time for the Australian government to work with the states and territories and introduce practical measures which improve the security of our records. Physical property deeds kept safely at home cannot be hacked.”