Delivering stronger privacy protections for Australians

The Albanese Government has delivered landmark legislation to strengthen privacy protections for all Australians and outlaw doxxing.

Australians want their privacy respected. When they are asked to hand over their personal data Australians expect it will be protected.

The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 implements a first tranche of recommendations from the Privacy Act Review, including:

• a new statutory tort to address serious invasions of privacy
• a Children’s Online Privacy Code to better protect children from a range of online harms, including $3 million over three years for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to support its development
• greater transparency for individuals affected by automated decisions
• streamlined information sharing in the case of an emergency data breach, while ensuring that information is appropriately protected
• stronger enforcement powers for the Australian Information Commissioner The legislation also introduces new criminal offences to outlaw doxxing with serious criminal penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment. Doxxing is a form of abuse that can affect all Australians but is often used against women in the context of domestic and family violence.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Privacy Act works for all Australians and is fit for purpose in the digital age.

The legislation builds on the significant steps already taken by the Albanese Government on privacy, including:

• significantly increased penalties for repeated or serious privacy breaches
• greater powers for the Australian Information Commissioner to resolve privacy breaches and quickly share information about data breaches
• restoration of the standalone position of the Australian Privacy Commissioner

The legislation passed today is just the first stage of the Albanese Government’s commitment to provide individuals with greater control over their personal information.

The Albanese Government will continue to consult the Australian community on further privacy reforms.