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Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner and Taxation Office agree on outcomes of further discussions on ABN

Media Release

8/6/2000

Federal Privacy Commissioner and Taxation Office agree on outcomes of further discussions on ABN

Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton said, said "following further discussions with Taxation officials, yesterday, I am satisfied that the undertakings given to me adequately address my concerns regarding the disclosure of Australian Business Number (ABN) information."

"I am pleased that we have been able to conciliate an outcome to this issue and there is no need for me to begin a formal investigation at this stage. As a consequence I have not made a formal finding of a breach of the Privacy Act. The disclosure by the ATO of the ABN was lawful under the 'A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) ACT 1999."

As foreshadowed in my media release of Monday 5 June 2000 (available at http://www.privacy.gov.au/news/00_07.html) the agreed outcomes from yesterday's meeting were that:

The ATO agreed to review the current wording, on website and paper documents, to improve notice to individuals as to what will be done with their personal information and to ensure better compliance with Information Privacy Principle 2 (IPP 2) *. The ATO will also seek my input and assistance - particularly with the (IPP 2 (e) classes of usual disclosures).
The ATO have undertaken to consult closely with me in relation to any future bulk releases of ABR records.
The ATO will examine options, to recommend to government, including the possibility of an opt-out option that will limit public access to personal information associated with the ABN and will consult with me in relation to this matter.

*Information Privacy Principle 2 in the Privacy Act 1988 relates to why the information is being collected, if there is a legal authority to collect the information and who the information will be disclosed to. Please to go http://www.privacy.gov.au/publications/ipps.html for a full copy of the Information Privacy Principles.