The real Big Brother: Inquiry into the Privacy Act 1988

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The real Big Brother: Inquiry into the Privacy Act 1988

23 June 2005

© Commonwealth of Australia 2005
ISBN 0 642 71498 3

View the report as a single document - (PDF 732KB)


View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Members of the references Committee (PDF 119KB)
 
Abbreviations (PDF 115KB)
 
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 125KB)
Reference
Conduct of the inquiry
Acknowledgements
Scope of the report
Note on references
 
Chapter 2 - Background (PDF 177KB)
Concepts of privacy
Privacy protection under international and other Australian law
History of the Privacy Act
Key provisions of the Privacy Act 1988
Community attitudes towards privacy
 
Chapter 3 - Emerging technologies (PDF 291KB)
In general
Smart cards and national identification schemes
Biometrics
Genetic testing and discrimination
Microchip implants and RFID technology
Other technologies and related issues
 
Chapter 4 - Private sector provisions (PDF 291KB)
Review of the private sector provisions by the Privacy Commissioner
General reaction to private sector provisions
Exemptions in the Privacy Act
Other issues in relation to the private sector provisions
 
Chapter 5 - Other issues (PDF 273KB)
Consumer credit reporting
Health information
Medical research
Responding to overseas emergencies
Use of the Privacy Act as a means to avoid accountability and transparency
Law enforcement issues
Privacy issues for care leavers
 
Chapter 6 - Resourcing and powers of the office of the privacy commissioner (PDF 188KB)
Resourcing of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Powers of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
 
Chapter 7 - The Committee's conclusions (PDF 188KB)
A comprehensive review
Consistency
Emerging technologies
Private sector provisions
Other issues
Resourcing and powers of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
 
Additional comments by Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (PDF 126KB)
 
Appendix 1 - Submissions received (PDF 84KB)
 
Appendix 2 - Witnesses who appeared  before the Committee (PDF 86KB)
Melbourne, Friday, 22 April 2005
Sydney, Thursday, 19 May 2005
Canberra, Friday, 20 May 2005

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone: +61 2 6277 3560
Fax: +61 2 6277 5794
Email: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au