NZNO intends to make a submission on the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill, particularly as it relates to vulnerable children, and seeks your feedback on the document. 

The Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill is an omnibus Bill that amends the Privacy Act 1993 and the Tax Administration Act 1994.

The Bill amends the Privacy Act 1993 to improve public service delivery by introducing 2 new mechanisms for information sharing.

First, the exceptions to information privacy principles 10(d) and 11(f) will be widened to allow the use and disclosure of personal information when there is a serious threat to public health or safety or the life or health of an individual.

Currently, that threat must also be imminent for the information to be shared. This could prevent agencies from sharing information, where a failure to share could have serious consequences, merely because those consequences are not imminent. Instead, agencies will be required to consider the time at which the threat will occur, as well as the likelihood and severity of the consequences, in deciding whether the threat is serious.

Secondly, a new mechanism will be inserted to make provision for the approval of information sharing agreements between agencies.

Approved information sharing agreements will enable the use and sharing of information between and within agencies delivering public services by modifying or clarifying the application of the information privacy principles.

To ensure any resulting intrusions into personal privacy are minimised, the Bill sets out the required content for information sharing agreements and the process for their approval, which will include consultation with the Privacy Commissioner and other interested parties.

Further information on the Bill can be found here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2011/0318/latest/DLM3941903.html?search=ts_bill_privacy_resel&p=1&sr=1

Feedback is due with the government by March 23rd.

Feedback to Nursing Policy Adviser/Researcher Jill Clendon jillc@nzno.org.nz for collation by Friday 16th March, 2012. 

NZNO has a number of international relationships and the document below replaces the previous document entitled Nursing – an international relationship.

NZNO and its international relationships: DRAFT Position Statement (PDF)

The new document updates the developments that have occurred in NZNOs relationships with its international partners since the previous pamphlet was first published in 1997.

The new title more accurately reflects the content of the document. 

Please forward your feedback by 26 March 2012 to jillc@nzno.org.nz