Page 1829 - Week 06 - Thursday, 19 May 1994

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MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO 1262

Housing Trust - Belconnen Property

MR CORNWELL - Asked the Minister for Housing and Community Services In relation to 13 Illawarra Court, Belconnen

(1) Is it a fact that this ACT Housing Trust property was trashed prior

to the departure of the tenants.

(2) Did the tenants leave (a) of their own volition; (b) were they

evicted; or (c) did they abscond.

(3) What was the cost of repairs for wilful damage to the property to

make it habitable for other tenants.

(4) Does the Trust have a forwarding address for the departed

tenants.

(5) Will financial restitution for wilful damage be sought; if so, when;

if not, why not.

MR LAMONT - The answer to the Members question is as follows

(1) & (2) The question raises matters of principle in relation to the operation

& (3) of the Privacy Act 1988 which was enacted for the purposes of

protecting the right of members of the community to personal

privacy.

One of the purposes of the privacy legislation is to prevent the disclosure of personal information, except in circumstances permitted under the Act. In this respect, I refer you to Information Principle 11 which permits the disclosure of personal information only on specified grounds, including where the individual concerned has consented to its disclosure, or where the disclosure is necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law.

Although your question does not seek the name of the former tenant of 13 Illawarra Court, Belconnen, the persons identity would undoubtedly be apparent to some people, particularly neighbouring residents who may have known the tenant. Given that the answers to Questions on Notice are published in Hansard and are therefore available to the general public, it is not considered appropriate to provide the information you sought.

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