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Australians encouraged to comment on new health privacy safeguards

Australians have the opportunity to have their say about national privacy rules for health information with the release today of a draft National Health Privacy Code for comment, the Minister for Health and Ageing Kay Patterson and Attorney-General Daryl Williams said.

In this section:

Daryl Williams AM QC MP
Attorney–General


1 December 2002

Australians encouraged to comment on new health privacy safeguards

Australians have the opportunity to have their say about national privacy rules for health information with the release today of a draft National Health Privacy Code for comment, the Minister for Health and Ageing Kay Patterson and Attorney-General Daryl Williams said.

Senator Patterson and Mr Williams expect the Code to form the basis of a nationally consistent set of rules for the gathering and use of health information.

"It is very important that everyone in the community has an opportunity to comment on the design of privacy safeguards for their health information," Senator Patterson said.

"I encourage all interested people and organisations to take advantage of this unique opportunity to comment on the National Health Privacy Code.

"It is natural that people feel strongly about the privacy protections surrounding their personal health information and I believe this Code will go a long way towards enhancing those safeguards."

Mr Williams said the Code created an opportunity to bring privacy arrangements under one national health privacy framework.

"It is in the interests of both consumers and health service providers that clear and consistent health information privacy rules apply across Australia," Mr Williams said.

"Most people regard information about their health as one of the most sensitive categories of personal information."

The draft National Health Privacy Code has been developed by the National Health Privacy Working Group, a sub-group of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council.

Senator Patterson and her State and Territory colleagues have agreed to release the draft Code for a series of public consultations which will run until April 2003.

If implemented nationally, the Code would ensure that a set of uniform rules will apply across all States and Territories.

The draft Code forms part of a broader national health privacy framework and is a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative.

For a copy of the Code, visit www.health.gov.au

Media Contact: Randal Markey (Senator Patterson) 0417 694 520
Carina Tan-Van Baren (Mr Williams) 0419 423 965