Site Changes

On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and a new website established at www.oaic.gov.au.

Note 1: Major changes to the Privacy Act 1988 will come into effect in March 2014. Agencies, businesses and not for profits need to start preparing for these changes. For more information go to our privacy law reform page at www.oaic.gov.au
Note 2: From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date. For new privacy content visit the www.oaic.gov.au website.

Types

Topic(s): Health | Internet

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes attention to privacy issues in Health Online

4/11/1999

Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today welcomed the recognition of the importance of personal privacy in proposals for a national plan of action for information management in the health sector.

"All of us have a vested interest in better management of our health information," said Commissioner Crompton. "It is widely recognised that better use of technologies can allow for delivery of better health care."

"Personal health information is intensely intimate information and individuals need to be confident that the privacy of their personal health information is respected. I am pleased that privacy is recognised as an important part of the overall framework for Health Online", said Commissioner Crompton.

"Clearly there are lots of details yet to be worked out, but I am confident that better health information management can also deliver privacy gains for consumers."

The Government aims to introduce a light-touch legislative privacy scheme for the private sector into the Parliament this year. The Attorney-General asked the Privacy Commissioner to consider how personal health information would be handled under the new scheme and to consult with key health organisations about this issue. The Attorney-General is currently considering recommendations made by the Privacy Commissioner.