Inquiry into the Privacy Act 1988
Terms of Reference
(a) the overall
effectiveness and appropriateness of the Privacy Act 1988 as a
means by which to protect the privacy of Australians, with particular
reference to:
(i) international comparisons,
(ii) the capacity of the current legislative regime to
respond to new and emerging technologies which have implications for
privacy, including:
(A) ‘Smart Card’ technology and the potential for this to be
used to establish a national identification regime,
(B) biometric imaging data,
(C) genetic testing and the potential disclosure and
discriminatory use of such information, and
(D) microchips which can be implanted in human beings (for
example, as recently authorised by the United States Food and Drug
Administration), and
(iii) any legislative changes that may help to provide more
comprehensive protection or improve the current regime in any way;
(b) the effectiveness of
the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in extending the
privacy scheme to the private sector, and any changes which may enhance its
effectiveness; and
(c) the resourcing of the
Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner and whether current levels of
funding and the powers available to the Federal Privacy Commissioner enable
her to properly fulfil her mandate.
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia
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