By: Thalita Allen

Thalita Allen — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 09:46:50 +0000

Dear Ms Mann,
In response to your written article on 21/08/2017 in relation to Privacy & the postal plebiscite, I would like to make the following comments, namely:
1) this postal survey is just as stated & remains a survey. It’s not a vote of any kind. It’s plainly an opportunity to survey national interest with regard to a specific subject matter. Nothing more, & nothing less. Because it’s a survey, the ABS does have the legal mandate to undertake such a venture. Furthermore, this activity is NOT a vote of any kind but a survey of an opinion, thus placing the ABS in the prime position to conduct this postal survey, NOT the AEC.
2) the process of developing and using SLK’s are much more complex as opposed to your description. The ABS is one of only 3 organisation’s in the whole of Australia, with the legal mandate to act as an Integrated Authority to link personal & sensitive information as described by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The other 2 organisation’s are the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) & Australian Institute for Health & Welfare (AIHW). Neither AIFS nor the AIHW have the statistical infrastructure or capacity to undertake such a survey.
3) your statement that when the ABS formally announced it’s intention to conduct this surveyb it was done in the absence of parliamentary approval, is misleading. The ABC article of 09/08/2017 that’s quoted, in fact states that both Senator’s Corman & Brandis clearly indicated that this postal survey is undertaken with the Federal Government’s approval.
Regards,
TA

Comments on: Privacy and the postal plebiscite

By: Thalita Allen