Push to scrap Australia privacy exemptions for political parties due to risk of data breaches

It argues that by extending the Privacy Act to cover political parties, they would need to meet the requirements of the Australian privacy principles, which would reduce the possible consequence of any future data breach.

The principles would require political parties to do due diligence to ensure they are only collecting necessary personal information, as well as handling it in accordance with the protections offered by the act.

Principle 11 of the act requires entities to take active measures to ensure the security of personal information it holds and to actively consider whether it is permitted to retain personal information.

The joint standing committee on electoral matters is examining all aspects of the conduct of the 2022 federal election. The government has said it intends to legislate spending caps and truth in political advertising laws after the inquiry has concluded.

The special minister of state, Don Farrell, will also take carriage of new laws to lower the political donation disclosure threshold to $1,000 and introduce real-time disclosures.