Victoria's Opposition is referring the Andrews Government to state authorities over the unauthorised release of personal information of former staff, claiming the disclosure could be criminal.

On Monday, Seven News reported on documents it said were released under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws that showed the salaries of staff of the previous Napthine government.

The documents listed former staff and showed how much each person was paid.

The release of the salary information has prompted an angry Opposition to write to Victoria's corruption watchdog and police over the matter, and complain to the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

But DPC secretary Chris Eccles said the documents were not obtained under FOI and is inquiring into how it was released to Seven News.

"At this time DPC is unable to determine how Channel Seven obtained the document in question, however further internal inquiries will be made,'' Mr Eccles said.

Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings also said the staff salaries were not released under FOI.

"I am unaware of who beyond those departmental sources had the access to that information and then who subsequently released it, but the department is concerned about this matter and as am I,'' he told Parliament.

In Parliament, Deputy Premier James Merlino said ministers were not responsible for the release of the information.

The documents detailed an increase in staff in the Napthine government's last year.

Labor claimed in Parliament the document showed that taxpayers paid $2 million for staff to campaign at the 2014 election, arguing those people should have been on leave.

Privacy breached a worrying trend, Opposition warns

The Coalition has accused the Government of breaking the rules about releasing private information from a previous government.

Traditionally documents of a previous government are off limits for public release — former prime minister Tony Abbott angered many when he instructed cabinet documents from Kevin Rudd's government to a royal commission.

The Andrews Government is using Parliament to obtain documents relating to Opposition Leader Matthew Guy's time as planning minister, in particular issues at Ventnor on Phillip Island, something that has some Opposition MPs worried.

Those documents are expected to be released before the November election.

Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said there could be issues of criminality over the access, and release, of documents from a previous government.

"We're referring this matter to law enforcement authorities because there is a serious question now of whether we can trust [Premier] Daniel Andrews and his Government to manage Victorians' personal and private data without Labor misusing it for partisan advantage,'" he said.

Donations by eftpos 'pressured' fundraiser attendees

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Philip Dalidakis has come under fire from the Opposition for using a handheld eftpos machine to get donations at a fundraiser.

Question Time heard allegations that Mr Dalidakis used an eftpos machine to receive donations at an Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner, which Mr Andrews also attended.

Philip Dalidakis has defended his use of an EFTPOS machine at a party fundraiser. ( ABC News: James Hancock, file photo )

Mr Dalidakis said the dinner was arranged by a friend as a fundraiser for him as an MP. At the end of the event, after the Premier had left, the host asked if anyone would like to donate.

Some people donated with cards to Mr Dalidakis, which he said went straight to a verifiable ALP bank account with a receipt issued immediately.

Mr Dalidakis said it was always his understanding that the dinner was a fundraiser and that he had not broken any rules because the dinner was a fundraiser for him as a MP, not minister.

Mr Pesutto said that Mr Dalidakis was in breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct that prevents ministers from personally soliciting donations.

"For Daniel Andrews to address guests around a table as a minister, approaches them directly with an eftpos machine for political donations is a gross misuse of the privileged positions they occupy," Mr Pesutto said.

"We have been advised that this set-up for the function left guests feeling pressured to make a donation."