Privacy
Letter to the Editor - The Age
21 February 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
Your article (MP’s bid to meet detainees foiled, 18/2/05) fails to mention there are clear rules in the Privacy Act concerning the release of personal information of people who are clients of the department, including those in detention.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs takes very seriously its lawful responsibilities to protect the privacy of clients, including those in detention.
The Privacy Act is clear – “a record keeper who has possession
or control of a record that contains personal information shall not disclose
the information to a person, body or agency”.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA