New laws seek to safeguard personal information in Western Australia.

The Cook Government has announced the introduction of the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Bill 2024 (PRIS Bill) - a legislative initiative to enhance the protection and secure handling of personal information for Western Australians. 

The PRIS Bill combines privacy protections with a consistent information sharing framework, which the state says will balance robust privacy safeguards with the efficient flow of government information.

Key provisions of the PRIS Bill include the introduction of new privacy principles to guide public sector agencies on the approved systems and processes for managing personal information. 

Additionally, the Bill introduces a mandatory reporting scheme for “notifiable information breaches”, requiring any serious breaches involving personal information to be reported to the Information Commissioner and the affected individuals.

Alongside the PRIS Bill, the government has put forth the Information Commissioner Bill 2024 (IC Bill). 

This legislation will establish the roles of Information Commissioner, Privacy Deputy Commissioner, and Information Access Deputy Commissioner. 

These new positions are intended to bolster the governance and oversight of privacy matters within Western Australia. 

The Information Commissioner and Privacy Deputy Commissioner will have the authority to consider and resolve privacy complaints, ensuring robust protection of individuals' data.

The legislation also provides for the appointment of a Chief Data Officer, who will lead and develop public sector capabilities for responsible information sharing. This role aims to promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and safe use of government information.

“As our digital world continues to evolve at such a rapid pace, the Cook Government is taking important legislative steps to ensure Western Australians' personal information is protected,” said Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson.