25 September 2002

"Claims by the Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) that changes to the Privacy Act will cost the direct marketing industry more than 220,000 jobs are ridiculous," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton.

"Contrary to ADMA's claims, there are no plans afoot to change the law and ADMA has supported the introduction of the current law.

"What is happening is an invitation by the Privacy Commissioner for responses to a consultation paper that asks for input on a series of questions on how to apply the law as it has stood since 2000, that is all. Submissions have closed and I am now analysing the responses," he said.

"We all have a right to know who is calling us, why they have called us and where they got our information from. In many ways the Privacy Act is about putting common courtesy such as these into law.

"A businesses or charity that collects people's names and numbers from the white pages or other public sources, in the right circumstances, is required by the Act to tell the person to whom they are marketing, who they are, and why they are calling them.

"Direct marketers, including charities, are able to use the White Pages or other public sources of information to gather the contact details of individuals. But, leaders in the direct marketing industry understand that getting people off-side is not a good way to get people to purchase their goods and services.

"The Act is about putting people in control of their information. Our research indicates people don't like being contacted for direct marketing purposes at all hours of the day and night by organisations they have not dealt with before," he said.

Additional Information:

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