Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The News Media (Self-regulation) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013 will amend the current exemption from the operation of the Privacy Act 1998 that exists for certain acts and practices of media organisations that are publicly committed to observing standards that deal with privacy.

Currently a media organisation is exempt from the operation of the Privacy Act where its activities consist of the collection, preparation and dissemination of news, current affairs, information or documentaries, provided it is committed to observing published, written standards that deal with privacy.

This bill will improve the accountability of news media organisations by requiring that, where it is a significant provider of print and/or online news, it must be a member of an approved, independent, industry self-regulatory body, as set out under the News Media (Self-regulation) Bill, in order to have the Privacy Act exemption available to it.

The bill will not affect other news media organisations' access to the existing exemption under the Privacy Act.

I commend this bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.