APCC Annual Report 1997-1998

Version of 16 March 1998

This document is at http://www.privacy.org.au/apcc/AnnRpts/AR98.html

Introduction

This is the report to the A.G.M. on the previous year's activities, by Nigel Waters (Convenor) and Tim Dixon (Secretary).

Copies of all submissions and letters referred to in this Report are available from Nigel or Tim, or in the Submissions section of this web site.

In addition, various media comments were made by spokespersons on behalf of the Council during the year.

23 April

Meeting discussed approach to Privacy Commissioner's proposed consultation meeting, following federal government's reversal of policy on private sector privacy protection, and various other matters.

May-August

Members Nigel Waters, Graham Greenleaf, Tim Dixon, Chris Connolly, John Gaudin and Philip Argy (some wearing other hats), participated in meetings with the Privacy Commissioner and business groups

August

Julie Cameron wrote to the Attorney-General requesting a meeting to put the Charter Council's position on private sector protection.

September

Submission by Julie Cameron on behalf of the Council to Queensland Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into Privacy.

Meeting discussed how to respond to the Privacy Commissioner's discussion paper A National Scheme for Fair Information Practices in the Private Sector. Motion to boycott subsequent discussions passed narrowly but then superceded by another motion to defer a decision until the next meeting. Several members were to attend the Commissioner's 'forums' in State Capitals during October.

October

Reply to the letter to the AG from his Department declining an appointment on grounds of recent developments (the Privacy Commissioner's Discussion Paper), and encouraging participation in the Commissioner's process.

3 November

Meeting discussed the Privacy Commissioner's process in light of the recent 'forums'. Majority agreement to participate in proposed consultations to develop principles (separate from discussion of mechanisms) on the clear understanding that the Council wants any principles to be legislated, if not by the Commonwealth then by Victoria or other States and Territories.

Meeting also received a report from Tim Dixon on the forthcoming launch by Telstra of their Calling Number Display Service, and privacy and consumer advocates concerns about the extent to which the carriers are meeting the letter and spirit of the AUSTEL CND Guidelines.

Meeting also received Julie Cameron's resignation as Vice-President, with thanks for her contribution over several years, and elected Nigel Waters to replace her.

November

Nigel Waters replied on behalf of the Council to a Communications Research Centre project on the 'consumer friendliness' of Australian Banking World Wide Web Sites.

November

Nigel Waters made a submission on behalf of the Council to the Commonwealth Joint Public Accounts Committee's Inquiry into Internet Commerce.

December

Tim Dixon on behalf of the Council nominated Nigel Waters for membership of the Board of Directors of the Insurance Enquiries and Complaints Ltd (for the General Insurance industry).

December

Nigel Waters represented the Council at a forum in Brisbane held by the Queensland Parliamentary Committee as part of its Inquiry into Privacy.

December to January 1998

Members Tim Dixon, Chris Connolly, Graham Greenleaf and Nigel Waters (some wearing other hats) participated in several of the Privacy Commissioner's consultations to develop national privacy principles.

December

Nigel Waters made a submission on behalf of the Council to the National Advisory Council on Consumer Affairs (NACCA) on its draft principles for consumer protection in electronic commerce.

1998
January

Nigel Waters made a submission on behalf of the Council to the Commonwealth Senate IT Committee's Inquiry into Self-Regulation of the Communications and IT Industries.

January

Nigel Waters represented the Council at a consultation held by Centrelink (the new Commonwealth Benefits delivery agency) about its proposed use of Smartcards. (Members Tim Dixon, Chris Connolly and John Gaudin also attended wearing other hats).

February

Nigel Waters represented the Council at a 'round table' forum in Canberra held by the Commonwealth Joint Public Accounts Committee as part of its Inquiry into Internet Commerce.