We regret the delay since the last Newsletter. The primary reason has again been busyness on policy issues, but to some extent the COVID-19 epidemic has also played a role. The lockdown hasn’t greatly affected the workings of an organisation that has operated mostly virtually for decades already. However, it’s had a substantial impact on… Read More

Our apologies for the gap since the last Newsletter.We’re endeavouring to get back to a cycle of 2 or 3 updates per annum.Annual General MeetingThe AGM was held on 13 November 2019.You can view the detailed Annual Report.The Chair Group remains as before, comprising:Chair: David VaileVice-Chairs: Kat Lane, Bruce Baer ArnoldSecretary-Treasurer:  Mark Walkom recently retired after… Read More

At the APF’s AGM on 25 October 2016, three new Board-members were elected. Biographical details for Jake Goldenfein, Kate Mathews-Hunt and Holly Raiche can be found on the Contacts page. The APF now has 18 active Board-members, plus additional contributors on several Committees that focus on particular aspects of the wide array of privacy problems… Read More

1. Campaign re MyHRThe ‘personally controlled’ electronic health record (PCEHR) has been a 5-year-long failure.The latest attempt to breathe life into the (so far, $1.5bn) lemon involves switching from a consent-based approach to an ‘opt-out’ model – and making it extremely difficult to opt out. APF is conducting a campaign to ensure that the public and the… Read More

2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGVice-Chairs’ ReportSince the last AGM, the APF has continued its proud tradition of working to protect the privacy rights of Australians. In this 12 month period, the Foundation has made more than 40 submissions on diverse matters including in relation to the new data retention law, the use of encryption in digital… Read More

Chair’s Report of November 2014APF’s policy activities have continued unabated, with about 60 contributions during the 12 months since the previous AGM. Governments, government agencies and corporations are very active in abusing the privacy of citizens and consumers. The current Government has proposed yet more measures that are supposed to assist in counter-terrorism, but that… Read More

The police raids of 18 September 2014 have made it an extremely sad week for Australian democracy.All Attorneys-General, Governments and Parliaments since 2001 have been obsequious in their approval of anything that the national security extremist apparatus has requested.The current round, comprising three tranches of legislation, supported by multiple, orchestrated media events, represents an entirely… Read More

RFC: APF Policy on DronesDrones are very much in the news.The APF works hard to develop policies proactively. This enables us to influence debates from the outset, and to prepare submissions quickly.We’re seeking your thoughts on the draft Policy Statement on Drones.The intention is to provide background, an outline analysis of the privacy concerns, and… Read More

The Australian Privacy Foundation (APF) is delighted to announce the results of the inaugural Sir Zelman Cowen Essay Competition.Here is the Media Release.Our thanks to:judges Elizabeth Evatt – Patron, Julian Burnside – Panel member, and Dan Svantesson – sometime Vice-ChairDavid Lindsay of Monash University for his considerable efforts in establishing the Competition and bringing the… Read More

Chair’s Report of 31 October 2013This AGM sees the retirement of two of APF’s longest-standing Board-members, to whom we extend our thanks on behalf of ourselves and all Australians:Julie CameronAPCC Founder and Coordinator 1992-1996APF Board-Member 1990-2003 and 2009-13Secretary 2002-2003BBA Committee 2003, 2009, 2011Nigel WatersAPCC Coordinator 1997-2002APF Board-Member 1997-2013Policy Coordinator 2002-2013Web-Site Committee 2002-2013Public Officer 2002-Telecommunications then… Read More