Released 3:00pm, 16 December 1998
This document is at http://www.privacy.org.au/Media/MR981216.html
The Government's decision today to extend privacy laws to business has been welcomed by the Australian Privacy Foundation.
"The Government,s decision is a big win for Australian consumers," said Privacy Foundation Director, Tim Dixon. "It will help give consumers greater control over their personal information, and improve their confidence in using new technologies.
"Australians can look forward to cutting down unwanted intrusions on their privacy, being able to access and correct information which organisations hold on them, and stopping businesses passing on their information to others without their consent."
"At a time when there,s an increasing feeling that they have lost control of how their personal information is collected and used, this is a very positive step. Self-regulation could never deliver the privacy safeguards which consumers rightfully demand."
The Coalition promised to extend privacy laws before the 1996 election, but the commitment was dropped in March 1997 with the Prime Minister citing concerns about unwanted red tape. Since then, the Privacy Foundation and a coalition of consumer groups has campaigned to put privacy legislation back on the government,s agenda.
"We appreciate the Government's concern to avoid red tape. But business has nothing to fear from well-designed privacy laws - they are an essential part of an information economy. The Government,s announcement today has recognised that fact," Mr Dixon said.
"Whether it,s in the hands of government or business, Australians have a right to expect that their personal information will be treated with respect.
"Of course there will be several issues to address in the design of the privacy legislation, to ensure that consumers get the protection they deserve. We look forward to working with the Government and other groups in the new year, to fashion a world best-practice framework for privacy protection."
For further information, contact:
Tim Dixon, Director, 02-9231 4949 or 0411-114411, TimDixon
Prof. Graham Greenleaf, 02-9569 5310 or 9385-2233, Graham Greenleaf
Go to the APF Home Page.
Created: 16 December 1998
Last Amended: 20 December 1998
APF thanks its site-sponsor: