Australian Computer SocietySenate Legal and Constitutional References Committee
Parliament House
Canberra ACT
ACS Urges Action on IT Privacy
Attached is a printed copy of "Submission on Privacy". The actual paper is available on the web at: http://www.acs.org.au/president/1998/past/privpos.htm and is linked to a number of source documents provided by the ACS and other organisations.
This paper does not discuss every aspect of privacy, nor all issues to be addressed by the inquiry. It concentrates on the need for Commonwealth privacy legislation to be extended to the private sector to meet relevant international standards and obligations. It argues that the any privacy scheme that does not have legislatively-backed complaints, investigation and enforcement mechanisms will have limited effectiveness.
The National Principles for the Fair Handling of Personal Information, as produced by the Privacy Commissioner, are not seen as a suitable basis for protection of public privacy in the private sector.
Australia requires privacy laws to prevent some sectors of Australian industry, particularly those involved in on-line trade, being severely disadvantaged in international commerce. The Federal Government should re-task the Privacy Commissioner to develop the legislative framework to meet privacy standards, in consultation with the states. The alternative of piecemeal implementation by state governments, would be expensive and quite unworkable.
This submission is authorised by Andrew Freeman, FACS, Director, ACS Community Affairs Board. The submission was prepared by Tom Worthington, Immediate Past President. ACS members are available to appear before the committee.
Andrew Freeman, FACS
Director, ACS Community Affairs Board
29 June 1998
The Australian Computer Society is the professional association in Australia for those in the computing and information technology fields. It was established in 1966. The Society has over 14,000 members and on a per capita basis is one of the largest computer societies in the world.
Note: The Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee has authorised the publication of this submission.