Media Release

Campaign for fair Privacy Laws

16th December 1998

Privacy legislation a big win for consumers

The federal Government today announced that it had changed its mind and decided to finally introduce privacy legislation for the private sector. This follows more years of debate about whether privacy protection should be provided through voluntary standards or through legislation.

"This is a big win for consumers", said Mr Chris Connolly, National Coordinator of the Campaign for Fair Privacy Laws. "After months of argument, the federal Government has finally decided to take effective action on privacy. Consumer groups and privacy advocates have worked hard to convince government and business that the best way to protect privacy is to back up industry codes with enforceable legislation. It's great to see that hard work pay off".

Federal Privacy legislation should:

provide enforceable standards for industry practice
provide effective remedies and sanctions when privacy is breached
improve confidence in new technologies, especially electronic commerce
bring Australia into line with International standards

Mr Connolly said that privacy and consumer groups looked forward to working with business and government on the details of the legislation. "There is an opportunity now to develop world class privacy protection, and to finally fulfil government promises made back in 1996."

Although few details have been released at this stage, Mr Connolly was willing to give cautious support to the Government's proposed 'light touch' approach to legislation, but warned that additional resources would be required. "We should flag, even at this early stage, that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner will require additional support and funding if an effective scheme is to be developed. The current Privacy Commissioner recently announced her resignation and the Office has only just survived a massive (40%) budget cut."

More details:

Chris Connolly
Campaign for Fair Privacy Laws
(02) 9281 4452
m 0414 938942

Tim Dixon

Australian Privacy Foundation
(02) 9231 4949
m 0411 114411

The Campaign for Fair Privacy Laws is a loose affiliation of privacy advocates and consumer organisations, set up in 1997 to lobby for improved privacy legislation.

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