Govt consulting on Data Sharing Act

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has launched a public consultation on the planned new Data Sharing and Release Act.

The department has released an issues paper for public comment covering data sharing and release legislation.

The issues paper stipulates that the public data policy statement will seek to ensure the value of public data is maximised.

It proposes a purpose test to ensure data is shared for the right purposes, as well as streamlined data sharing agreements and a ‘five safes’ framework to ensure a multidimensional approach while managing risks.

It will also seek to implement the national reforms recommended by the Productivity Council, which identified a “lack of trust by both data custodians and users in existing data access processes and protections and numerous hurdles to sharing and releasing data are choking the use and value of Australia's data”.

The commission recommended the creation of a data sharing and release structure that makes clear to all data custodians that a clear cultural shift towards better data use is required.

As part of the reforms, the government is establishing a new data commissioner, as well as an advisory council to guide the commissioner. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet recently started taking expressions of interest for individuals looking to join this council.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/kentoh

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