Media Release
Taskforce releases Report on Registration
23 July 2007
The Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison, welcomed the release today of the Consumer and Privacy Taskforce’s report on Registrationfor the proposed access card.
Senator Ellison said the report will be taken into account in the development of details around the registration process, adding that ongoing advice from the Consumer and Privacy Taskforce has also informed policy considerations in the publicly released access card legislation.
Senator Ellison reaffirmed his commitment to the development of an Access Card Consumer Charter and Administration Rules to cover matters such as identification, photograph and retention and disposal of information during the registration process for the access card.
Administration Rules will be subject to parliamentary oversight by being presented to Parliament as disallowable instruments after consultation with the Commonwealth Privacy Commissioner. Once these Rules are made, all persons performing functions or duties under access card legislation must comply with those Rules.
“Furthermore, having established the use of a preferred name on the access card in the draft legislation, I intend to adopt the advice of Taskforce Chairman, Professor Allan Fels AO in this latest report, recommending the development of access card specific guidelines for the use of a preferred name as part of the registration process,” Senator Ellison said.
Senator Ellison said the work that the Taskforce is doing, along with the Government’s ongoing consultative process, will ensure the community is able to be involved at every stage of the development of the registration process.
“Widespread consultation is critically important in getting the legislation and registration process right for the access card. As part of this process I have commenced a series of round-table discussions with stakeholders, industry and community representatives to hear their views on the legislation,” Senator Ellison said.
“I would also encourage all Australians to take the opportunity to read and respond to the exposure draft of the access card legislation. People have until 21 August to submit their views.
“I would like to thank Professor Fels and his Taskforce for their work assisting the Government in developing both the design of the registration process and access card 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.