ADM+S submission supports stronger accountability in proposed privacy reforms
Author ADM+S Centre
Date 28 September 2026
ADM+S has made a submission on proposed Australian privacy law reforms, highlighting opportunities to strengthen accountability and develop a more principles-based, future-proof privacy framework for an increasingly data-driven and automated society.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) has made a submission to the long-anticipated Australian Government’s Privacy Reform: Consultation on Exposure Draft legislation (2026).
ADM+S’ submission focuses on a proposed requirement that the handling of personal information be ‘fair and reasonable in the circumstances’. This proposed new requirement aims to move away from older ‘notice and consent’ approaches to data protection, and instead require that the privacy interests of Australians be a core consideration when businesses seek to collect, use or disclose personal information.
The ADM+S submission argues that this aspect of the exposure draft appropriately places greater responsibility on organisations to consider and justify how they handle personal information, and could help move Australia towards a more principles-based and future-proof privacy framework, while identifying a number of opportunities and risks associated with the reform.These risks need to be carefully considered to ensure that the ‘fair and reasonable’ test will result in outcomes that are more protective of individuals’ privacy.
The Consultation Paper outlines around 40 proposed reforms, including measures drawn from the Privacy Act Review and additional proposals intended to simplify privacy obligations and improve the efficiency of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). At the same time, the Exposure Draft leaves a number of issues unaddressed – including current exclusions from the Act’s obligations for small business, political parties, and employee records.
Authors: Kimberlee Weatherall, Jacky Zeng, Will Ruan, Natalie Sheard, Lina Przhedetsky, Samantha Floreani
Read the full submission ADM+S Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence
