Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Jobs and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, the Privacy Act, as you will also be aware, contains an exemption for members of the Australian parliament, local government councillors and registered political parties and their volunteers and contractors in relation to specified kinds of political acts and practices. The exemption is designed to encourage freedom of political communication and support the operation of the electoral and political processes. However, the exemption does not authorise entities that are subject to the Privacy Act, such as social networking services, to disclose personal information that will be used by politicians or registered political parties for political purposes. If I can get you any further information I will.