Government agencies in Australia don’t expect to see updated data protection legislation by May’s federal elections, but the Morrison government is bridging the gap, The Mandarin reports. Human Services and Digital Transformation Minister Michael Keenan has released interim guidance for federal agencies from the Office of the National Data Commissioner. The Sharing Data Safely guidelines work with current privacy legislation and operate without the force of law. Keenan notes the data each agency holds can improve public policy and decision-making, while helping drive economic growth and development. “But in order for those benefits to be realised, Australians must have confidence that their privacy and security remains paramount when public sector data is being accessed or shared,” Keenan added in a statement. “The new guidelines released today will help to deliver that confidence by ensuring a more consistent and comprehensive approach to data sharing across the Australian Public Service.”
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