The NSW Law Reform Commission in a report released [Thursday] ( but dated April) recommends the state adopt a civil action for breach of privacy, but only as part of national law reform, so privacy law would be uniform throughout Australia. The report clarifies when an individual should be able to claim compensation and places limitations on the action.The Chairperson of the Commission, the Hon James Wood AO QC, said “the action is only applicable where an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy that is not overridden by public interests such as freedom of speech. We advocate a common sense approach, whereby privacy interests are weighted against other important concerns such as the public’s ‘right to know’ and the protection of national security”. Despite this watch out for media types jumping from tall buildings.
Read more in Open and Shut.