Australia's new Privacy Commissioner, Mr Timothy Pilgrim, today said that he looks forward to the challenges and opportunities presented by his new role.

"I am honoured to have been appointed as Australian Privacy Commissioner, and see it as a great opportunity to build on the work of previous commissioners in ensuring that Australians' privacy is protected," Mr Pilgrim said.

"I note that advances in information, communication and surveillance technologies have created and intensified a range of privacy issues. I see an important part of my role as informing individuals about how privacy-enhancing technologies can be used to protect their privacy, and working with agencies and organisations to design new and developing technologies in a privacy-enhancing way.

"While Australians value their privacy they also appreciate that other interests intersect such as freedom of speech and law enforcement. People also want the significant benefits of new technologies, such as communicating with friends and family around the world, and shopping and banking online. Of course, businesses want to be able to interact effectively with current and potential customers and to process data efficiently. I believe that all of these things can be achieved while ensuring people's privacy choices are respected.

"This is a challenging but exciting time for privacy in Australia and overseas. I look forward to working with state and territory privacy regulators, and my overseas counterparts to help ensure that privacy is protected both here and overseas, and that privacy regulation is able to respond to the global challenges.

"This is an important time for the Office as it moves to become part of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on 1 November 2010 under the leadership of Professor John McMillan. I am committed to working with Professor McMillan to ensure the successful integration of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner into the OAIC so that Australians' information rights as set out in both the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act are protected and promoted," Mr Pilgrim said.