Submission to Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020 Exposure Draft

CPRC welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Office of the National Data Commissioner’s (ONDC) consultation on the Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020 Exposure Draft.

We note that the proposed draft Bill establishes a new scheme for sharing public sector data with accredited users (including other government agencies, NGO’s, businesses and universities). CPRC holds the view that such a scheme has the potential to generate benefits for Australians – in relation to government service delivery, informing policy and programs and research and development purposes – if sufficient steps are taken to ensure this is done safely. In this context, Appendix 1 outlines our views regarding how the scheme proposes to uphold the public interest and safeguard consumers from risks. These views align with and build on the evidence outlined in CPRC’s submission to the Data Sharing and Release Legislation July 2018 Issues Paper.