12/11/1999

Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today responded to privacy concerns raised about the latest Australian Family Lifestyle Survey.

"It is important that consumers are aware that filling in the survey is not compulsory", said Commissioner Crompton. "This is pointed out in the survey."

"Some people seem to be confused about the nature of the survey. I encourage organisations to strive for best privacy practice in being very clear to their customers about the purposes for collecting personal information, what will happen to it and whether any information they provide about themselves will be passed on to other organisations", said Commissioner Crompton.

"People need to be aware that filling in the survey may expose them to more direct marketing - in some cases this is what consumers want. But everybody has the option of not completing the survey", said Mr Crompton.

The Privacy Act 1988 applies to federal Government agencies and only limited parts of the private sector. Australia Post's commercial activities, such as theAustralian Family Lifestyle Survey, are currently exempt from the Act. The Privacy Commissioner's Office commented on a version of the Australian Family Lifestyle Survey early in 1997 but has never endorsed the survey in any way.

The Government has said it wants to introduce a light touch legislative privacy scheme for the private sector into the Parliament this year.