Section 31 — Privacy Act 1988: Report following examination of proposed law

(1) Where the Commissioner has examined a proposed Commonwealth law under paragraph 28A(2)(a), subsections (2) and (3) of this section have effect. (2) If the Commissioner thinks that the proposed law would require or authorise acts or practices of an entity that would be interferences with the privacy of individuals, the Commissioner shall: (a) report to the Minister about the proposed law; and (b) include in the report any recommendations he or she wishes to make for amendment of the proposed law to ensure that it would not require or authorise such acts or practices. (3) Otherwise, the Commissioner may report to the Minister about the proposed law, and shall do so if so directed by the Minister. (4) Where the Commissioner is of the belief that it is in the public interest that the proposed law should be the subject of a further report, the Commissioner may give to the Minister a further report setting out the Commissioner’s reasons for so doing. (5) The Minister shall cause a copy of a report given under subsection (4) to be laid before each House of the Parliament as soon as practicable, and no later than 15 sitting days of that House, after the report is received by the Minister.