ACOSS has developed a briefing note outlining proposed reforms to national data sharing legislation. The increasingly complex nature of data collection and sharing by government, business and increasingly the community sector poses major policy and ethical challenges. Risks of data sharing are enhanced for people experiencing poverty and disadvantage. The reforms proposed by the federal government in response to the 2016 Productivity Commission’s report recommendations are intended to better safeguard privacy for all Australians. In particular the reforms focus on: enshrining a new Consumer Data Right; installing a new National Data Commissioner to implement and oversee the data sharing and release framework; and enacting new legislation and governance arrangements to enable better use of data while protecting sensitive information. The briefing note explores what is needed in data sharing frameworks to safeguard the privacy and dignity of people receiving community and welfare services.
