Senator The Hon John Faulkner the Special Minister of State says the Government will respond to the Australian Law Reform Commission Privacy Report in stages.

The first stage of the response will focus on the recommendations relating to the unified privacy principles (UPPs), health and credit reporting regulations and improving education about the impact on privacy by new technologies.

The recommendations relating to the protection of health information and credit reporting will be addressed alongside the UPPs as these issues interact directly with the recommendations on the UPPs, as well as having been identified as priority issues by stakeholders and agencies. Dealing with them at an early stage is also consistent with COAG’s current agenda on health and consumer credit reform.

Senator Faulkner expects that the Government will be able to legislate (as necessary) on the first reform stage within 12 to 18 months.

The second stage of the response will consider the recommendations relating to the removal of exemptions, data breach notices and the tort of privacy.

Across-the-board recommendations such as the harmonisation of Privacy laws and suggestions for reform to the structure and powers of the Privacy Commissioner will be considered by the Government in concert with the two stages of reform.