In further developments in the Victorian HIV saga (see "Privacy preoccupation in Victorian Health Department endangers lives), it now turns out that the Police only came to know about the extent of the problem that a number of HIV positive men were apparently under notice for possibly seeking to infect others when the Department of Health handed over records "by mistake" (see the transcript of this ABC Radio AM program), and then tried to get them back. The Department's version is that the Police grabbed the files without authorisation.
This article by Gary Hughes "Policing HIV" in The Australian summarises developments in Victoria and in another case in South Australia which has come to light.
This blog takes an interest in issues associated with Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy legislation in Australia. Information contained on this site is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Follow Peter Timmins on Twitter: @foiguru Follow the open government cause through the Australian Open Government Partnership Network. www.opengovernment.org.au and @opengovau
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