DCM > Freedom of Information > Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Our purpose

The primary purpose of the Department is to support the Chief Minister and Government to develop a confident, growing and socially cohesive Territory.

Our role

As the central agency, the Department is responsible for ensuring the Government’s priorities are implemented effectively by the public sector. The Department provides a social and economic policy framework for Government’s policy platform.

The Department provides leadership in coordinating whole of government approaches to issues throughout the NT Public Sector. The views of the Department's customers will be actively sought and incorporated into the Department's policy advice processes.

The Department’s primary contribution to the strategic direction of Government is through the coordination of coherent and soundly based advice to the Chief Minister and Cabinet.

The Department also ensures that the Territory’s views on issues of national significance are promoted at forums, such as the Council of Australian Governments.

Key operating principles:

• Provide strong, clear purpose and direction to government agencies
• Attract investment by maximising opportunities arising from the new railway, port and transcontinental freight corridor
• Maximise benefits to the Territory from major projects
• Improve access to services for socially and culturally divers Territorians
• Improve participation, engagement, and public confidence in decision making processes
• Grow and link the Territory to evolving international trends and opportunities
• Build cohesive communities and reduce socio-economic inequalities.

If you have queries in relation to privacy on the Department’s website, please contact:

Information Manager
Department of the Chief Minister
GPO Box 4396
Darwin NT 0820
Telephone: (08) 8999 6802
Facsimile: (08) 8999 6066
Email: InfoManager.DCM@nt.gov.au

General statement

The Department values and protects all personal information it collects and is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals. The Department understands and appreciates that individuals are concerned about their privacy, and the confidentiality and security of any personal information that may be provided to the Department. (Personal information is government information from which a person’s identity is apparent or is reasonably able to be ascertained.)

The Department recognises:

• the essential right of individuals to have their information handled in ways which they would reasonably expect – protected on the one hand and made accessible to them on the other
• that some of the information collected is particularly sensitive.

The Department also recognises that the 10 Information Privacy Principles, as scheduled to the Information Act 2002 (the Act), protect personal information both as a matter of individual right and to support the public interest in ensuring Government can collect information necessary for its functions, activities and services. The Act is available at http://www.nt.gov.au/lant/hansard/hansard.shtml.

The Department will only use such personal information collected for the purposes for which it was supplied and such information will not be disclosed to any third party, unless required by law or otherwise stated.

Legislative framework

• Information Act 2002 (NT)
• Northern Territory Government Records and Archives Management Standards
• Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 (NT)
• Northern Territory Public Sector Code of Conduct

Related policies

• Department of the Chief Minister Access and Correction Rights Policy
• Department of the Chief Minister Website Privacy Statement

Collection

The Department collects information that would allow the Department to:

• contact or locate an individual via full name, address, phone number, or some other combination of data
• provide individuals with relevant information or services
• manage and administer the functions, activities and services of the Department
• manage ongoing relationships with individuals.

Personal information is collected on a voluntary basis in relation to the functions, activities and services of the Department. Where applicable, individuals may also be requested to provide personal information on others, such as nominees and referees.

Personal information may be supplied by individuals:

• requests for and in the provision of goods and/or services
• participating in functions and events, surveys, questionnaires, and information gathering sessions
• attending forums, training sessions, meetings, focus groups and community engagement activities
• completing nomination and application forms for awards and other Department related programs and job vacancies
• requesting Departmental publications, and program and other information
• via email, by facsimile, in conversation or face-to-face for specific service delivery purposes.

The Department also provides personal information related to service delivery to:

• recognise a person for their role, contribution and/or involvement
• identify attendance at a Department-related function, including photographs and images
• recognise award/grant winners and nominees.

Use of information

The Department may use an individual’s information for the purposes of completion and support of its functions, activities and services; providing Ministerial advice and support; general administration activities; the development, customisation, implementation and management of programs, activities and initiatives; to inform policy; research and development; contacting our customers for the communication and marketing of government services or products; and to comply with the requirements of any law, legally binding scheme or contract. This information may be distributed to ourselves and our agents, and could be used in such a way as to personally identify an individual.

Demographic and socio-economic data, Preferences data

The Department collects demographic and socio-economic information such as gender, age, race, geographic area and length of residence, or income. The Department also collects information regarding personal tastes or preferences, such as personal thoughts, perceptions and opinions in order to perform the operations and activities, including program development, to inform policy and assist policy development.

In general this information is collected on a voluntary basis, however some demographic and socio-economic information may be required due to the way in which the client group is defined. For example, youth and senior Territorians by age; women by gender, migrant and ethnic by origin or ethnicity, eligible award applicants – by qualifications, work experiences, community involvement, standing in their community, etc.

This information is also used for the purposes of the completion and support of current functions and activities, website and system administration, customization of a programs and website, research and development, and contacting visitors for marketing of Government services or products. It may be distributed within our Department and to our agents or contracted service providers.

General disclosure

Individuals are able to gain information on how to access identifiable information about themselves by obtaining a copy of Access and Correction Rights on our website or by contacting the Information Manager. Application forms to access government information, correct personal information, request a review of a decision, and request a waiver or reduction of fees are available on our website or from the Information Manager.

If individuals do not wish the Department to collect, handle, use or disclose their personal information, and there is no legal requirement for this, please contact the Information Manager. If individuals no longer wish to be included on the mailing list for a Unit or Division within the Department, please contact the applicable Unit/Division.

Personal information is retained in line with the Information Privacy Principles.