Albanese government’s new attack on small business
The Albanese Government risks burdening
Australian small businesses with more complexity and costs in their response to
a review of the Privacy Act.
Shadow
Attorney-General Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said: “It would be appalling
but not surprising if Labor’s new privacy regime targets small businesses by
imposing more complexity and costs at a time when they are already struggling.”
“The Government’s
own paper acknowledges that privacy laws “disproportionately and unreasonably”
burden small businesses – but it has decided to impose those burdens anyway,’’
Senator Cash said.
“We all want better
protection for our information, but we’re talking about imposing a complex and
difficult regulatory regime on hairdressers, nail salons and mechanics, and
potentially making them pay civil penalties if they make a mistake,’’ Senator Cash
said.
“The Government has
agreed-in-principle that organisations must appoint a senior employee to be
responsible for privacy within the entity. How is that going to work for a
small business, like a nail salon or a mechanic?” she said.
“We are talking
about changing the rules for how we deal with personal information. If we don’t
get it right there are potential far-reaching consequences for businesses and
families across the country,’’ Senator Cash said.
“We want to know the
Government’s proposals will adequately protect Australians’ personal
information without creating additional red tape for people who are just trying
to get ahead,’’ Senator Cash said.
“This Government has
an ambivalent, bordering on hostile attitude to small businesses. They keep
hitting small business with complexity, confusion and costs on multiple fronts
– just look at the proposed industrial relations laws” she said.