Media Release: Reduce complexity in credit information regulation, says Privacy Commissioner20 April 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has concluded that, while the credit reporting provisions of the Privacy Act have generally worked well, the regulation of personal credit information could be improved to reduce complexity while still maintaining strong privacy protections. "The protection of credit information remains an important privacy issue for the community, and my Office is committed to working to make credit reporting privacy safeguards and standards clearer and more accessible," Ms Curtis said. In her submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission's (ALRC) Review of Privacy (Issues Paper 32) , the Commissioner has recommended that the existing credit reporting provisions could be repealed and replaced by the National Privacy Principles operating in tandem with a binding code, as a way of improving consistency and reducing complexity. "The existing credit provisions from 1991 are complex and this can result in businesses being unclear about their obligations," Ms Curtis said. "I am confident that regulating the use of personal credit information through a combination of the National Privacy Principles and a binding code will assist businesses and the community. It will reduce the complexity of the credit reporting provisions, help people to better understand their rights and still provide strong privacy protections." In response to questions raised by the ALRC's Issues Paper, Ms Curtis detailed a range of other positions on credit reporting matters. These include:
For further information see Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of Privacy - Issues Paper 32 Credit Reporting Provisions For media comment, contact 0407 663 968. |