17/9/2001

"Today, I am announcing the early release of the finalised Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles," said Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "This document should assist business get up to speed to meet the legislated requirements of the National Privacy Principles as established by the Privacy Act, and help organisations provide good privacy protection for consumers," he said.

"Just as importantly, this document will help business develop the privacy solutions they need to develop sound relationships with their customers. Our research shows that Australians are expecting organisations to manage their personal information in accordance with privacy principles. Businesses failing to meet those expectations will see their customers walk away, both on line and off line," warned Mr Crompton.

"The document reflects the outcomes of major policy analysis, and lengthy and extensive consultations," said Mr Crompton. "Since my Office launched our consultation process in January this year, we have advised over 1,500 people and organisations of our intended process, invited a similar amount to comment on the guidelines, and issued an open invitation to comment through the media, and national advertisements. The resulting interest in the guidelines has been extremely high, with over 30,000 downloads of the draft guidelines from the Office website, and 170 submissions received.

"We have listened to our stakeholders and have delivered a document intended to be user friendly, providing good guidance without too much detail. I would like to thank peak industry and consumer representative groups for their hard work and genuine input to the process. The finalised document should address the information needs of private sector organisations and consumers while attending to concerns of stakeholders in relation to the length, tone, reach and some interpretative issues of the draft guidelines issued in May this year. We have also brought the document's release forward to help organisations start preparing to meet their new responsibilities as soon as possible. Readers of the document should note that they are not law, simply a tool to aid in understanding the legislated requirements as set out in the Privacy Act, and the National Privacy Principles within that Act," said Mr Crompton.

"Many organisations and consumer representatives have been active participants in the consultative processes supporting the development of privacy schemes and legislation in Australia over the past five years. They have contributed to the debate over the voluntary National Principles for Fair Handling of Personal Information, as issued 1999, and participated in consultations that led to the legislation passed last year that brings the private sector under the Privacy Act", noted the Commissioner.

"The guidelines are not the only educative tool we will provide. We are also issuing information sheets on particular privacy issues that need a closer look, and we will be running a continuous education campaign for business and other organisations. Next year our focus will shift to consumers, and our website will carry the most current privacy advice and assistance available," said Mr Crompton.

"As I would expect with the implementation of any new legislation, there are still some issues in contention. For this reason alone we will continue to work in partnership with the private sector and consumers to make sure we achieve the best privacy solutions for the Australian community and build an Australian culture that respects privacy. It will take time for organisations to come to grips with their new responsibilities, and we are here to help," said the Commissioner.

The revised guidelines are on the Office website at http://www.privacy.gov.au/business.

The Information Sheets are on the Office website at http://www.privacy.gov.au/business.

Background

December 2000 Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 passed

January 2001 Letter advising of process to develop guidelines sent to over 1500 recipients

March 2001 Reference Groups for the Code Development Guidelines, Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector and Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles convened

April 2001 Draft Code Development Guidelines issued for public comment

May 2001 Draft Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles issued for public comment Draft Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector issued for public comment

June 2001 Submissions on draft Code Development Guidelines close, consultations with key stakeholders continues.

July 2001 Submissions on draft Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles close, consultations with key stakeholders continues Submissions on draft Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector close, consultations with key stakeholders continues.

September 2001 Revised version of Code Development Guidelines distributed and posted to OFPC website Finalised Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles distributed and posted to OFPC website.

October 2001 Finalised Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector to be issued

21 December 2001 Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 comes into force.

Research commissioned by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner showing the importance of privacy to the Australian community is available on the office website at http://www.privacy.gov.au/research.