Media Release
Taskforce releases report on appeals and review and advice on Governance
26 June 2007
Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison, welcomed the release today of the Consumer and Privacy Taskforce’s report on the Access Card Appeals and Review System.
Senator Ellison said that the ongoing advice from the Consumer and Privacy Taskforce has helped inform the policy considerations in the draft exposure of the access card legislation that was released last week.
Senator Ellison noted the advice on governance that Taskforce Chairman, Professor Allan Fels AO, has provided is reflected in the proposal to establish a dedicated Access Card Ombudsman which is outlined in the draft legislation.
“The draft legislation proposes establishing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as part of the external review mechanism for the access card, as well as strong parliamentary scrutiny of the system with reporting requirements of the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, the Commonwealth Privacy Commissioner and the Access Card Ombudsman,” Senator Ellison said.
Senator Ellison said the work that the Taskforce is doing, along with the Government’s ongoing consultative process, will ensure that the community is involved at every stage of the access card’s development.
“Widespread consultation is critically important in getting the legislation right for the access card. I will be commencing a series of round-table discussions with stakeholders, industry and community representatives to hear their views on the legislation,” Senator Ellison said.
“I look forward to people responding to the exposure draft of the access card legislation by way of submission on mechanisms proposed for appeal and review, along with other issues.
“I would like to thank Professor Fels AO and his Taskforce for their work assisting the Government in developing both the design of the access card and the supporting legislation,” Senator Ellison said.
The report is available from the Consumer and Privacy Taskforce publications section of the access card website: www.accesscard.gov.au.
Media Contact: Matt Francis – 0406 052 038.