Sensitive information
6.88 ‘Sensitive information’is a sub-set of personal information and is given a higher level of protection under the NPPs. The IPPs do not refer to sensitive information and agencies are required to handle all information, including sensitive information, in accordance with the IPPs. The principles recommended for handling sensitive information, and their extension to agencies, …
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Read moreThe structure of the Act
5.63 Because the Privacy Act has been substantially amended on a number of occasions, the numbering and structure of the Act make it confusing and difficult to navigate. For example, while the IPPs are found in s 14 of the Act, the NPPs are found in Schedule 3. In addition, the Act refers to obsolete …
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Read moreThe name of the Act
5.73 The Privacy Act is essentially limited in its scope to the protection of personal information. It does not regulate other elements of the right to privacy, for example, the right to be free from arbitrary or unlawful interference with one’s home or family life. The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, noted in evidence to the …
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Read moreOptions for reform
3.29 The ALRC has considered various options to achieve national consistency in the regulation of personal information handling, including the amendment of the Privacy Act to establish a single national privacy law, and the establishment of an intergovernmental cooperative scheme. These options are outlined below.National legislation3.30 As noted above, the Commonwealth has the power under …
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Read moreIs national consistency important?
3.9 A threshold issue is whether national consistency in the regulation of personal information handling is important. All submissions that addressed this issue strongly supported national consistency.[13] Most focused on how a nationally consistent privacy regime would lessen unjustified compliance burdens and cost. For example, a number of stakeholders emphasised that national consistency is essential …
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Read moreALRC in the media – 2011
The ALRC monitors the media for references to the Commission and its inquiries. This list for 2011 is not comprehensive.
News/Media Release
Read moreInadequate federal sentencing laws need reform
Thursday, 3 February 2005: Laws dealing with the sentencing of federal offenders are internally inconsistent, convoluted and confusing, the Australian Law Reform Commission said today. ALRC President Professor David Weisbrot said that with the recent growth in the number and range of federal offences, it is critical that we have a sentencing regime that is …
News/Media Release
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