Vic: Privacy Commissioner, opposition demand police file answers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2009
Vic: Privacy Commissioner, opposition demand police file answers

Eds: Embargoed until 0100 AEDT on Wednesday, December 9



MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - Police will brief Victoria's privacy watchdog over plans to
release to the company behind the state's desalination plant confidential police information
about protesters opposed to the plant.

Earlier this year, Victoria Police entered into a secret memorandum of understanding
with Aquasure, the consortium that will build and operate the desal plant, to share personal
details about demonstrators with the company.

In a statement today, Victorian Privacy Commissioner Helen Versey said she was not
aware of the agreement and had sought a briefing from police.

"Today (Tuesday) the privacy commissioner has had discussions with the Commissioner
for law enforcement data security and the Office of Police Integrity," a statement from
Ms Versey's office said.

"Victoria Police have agreed to provide a briefing to all three agencies and the briefing
is expected to take place sometime this week."

The state's equal opportunity and human rights commissioner would be invited to the
briefing, the statement said.

News of the briefing comes as the Victorian Opposition moves to demand details on similar
agreements between police and private companies on other private companies involved in
major infrastructure projects.

Water Minister Tim Holding said on Monday that similar agreements were commonplace in Victoria.

Opposition scrutiny of government spokesman David Davis said he would move a motion
in the legislative council on Wednesday demanding the government tell Victorians which
companies have been given personal information, the number of files handed over and why
they were passed on.

Mr Davis said the motion also questioned the extent to which personal police files
have been made available to government departments.

"This goes against democracy and the premier cannot be trusted to protect Victorians
civil liberties and privacy," Mr Davis said.

AAP jrd/jnb/de

KEYWORD: FILES (EMBARGOED)

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