This paper was released on 18 April 2016 to assist participants in preparing a submission to the public inquiry into Data Availability and Use. It outlines a range of issues about which the Commission is seeking information.

Initial submissions are due by Friday 29 July 2016. Further comment will be sought upon release of the draft report in November 2016.

The Australian Government has requested the Commission to conduct a broad ranging investigation into the benefits and costs of increasing the availability and use of public and private data by Australian individuals and organisations, including individuals’ access to data about themselves. The Commission has been asked to provide recommendations on increasing data access while giving appropriate attention to ways to enhance individuals’ and businesses’ confidence and trust in the way data is collected, stored and used, with particular focus on privacy and data security.

The inquiry has its origins in the 2014 Financial System Inquiry (the Murray Inquiry) (the inquiry’s final report and the Government’s response were released in December 2014 and October 2015 respectively) and the Harper Review of Competition Policy (the review’s final report and the Government’s response were released in March 2015 and November 2015 respectively).