Media Announcement: Government's response to private sector review is a positive step for privacy, says Privacy Commissioner

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30/11/06

The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today welcomed the Government's response to her report, "Getting in on the Act: The Review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act 1988".

"In its response, the Government has either accepted, noted or referred to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) for further discussion, 81 of the 85 recommendations that I made in my report", Ms Curtis said.

"The positive response to, and take up of, my report's recommendations will undoubtedly lead to a higher level of privacy protection for Australians as we enter 2007 and beyond."

Ms Curtis noted that three of her key recommendations had already been taken up by the Government, even before it had released its response to her report. These include: the establishment of a wide-ranging review by the ALRC into Australia's privacy-related legislative framework; the creation of a Do Not Call Register for telemarketing calls; and the extension of Privacy Act coverage to all residential tenancy database operators.

"These are some of the most significant privacy-related initiatives that the Government has embarked upon in recent years and I am pleased that my recommendations have played a role in getting these initiatives off the ground", Ms Curtis said.

Ms Curtis also acknowledged the Government's increased funding of $8.1 million to her Office over four years.

"These additional resources have allowed my Office to commence implementing the recommendations in my review that relate to the Office's operations."

The few recommendations that have not been accepted by the Government are likely to be considered further during the current ALRC inquiry process.

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