Australia: Adopted Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 containing Data protection authority provisions

On 29 November 2012, the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 was adopted by the Australian Parliament. The Bill updates and increases the powers of the Privacy Commissioner. Particularly, the Bill strengthens the Commissioner's power to conduct "own motion" investigations and compliance and privacy impact assessments. Moreover, the Commissioner is enabled to recognise external dispute resolution schemes dealing with privacy-related complaints. The amendment will enter into force on 12 March 2014.