Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Labour wary of trans-Tasman data-sharing trial

Updated at 9:21 am on 30 January 2012

Labour says the Privacy Commissioners on both sides of the Tasman should be consulted ahead of a data-sharing trial.

New Zealand and Australia are to hold a six- month trial of sharing information about the criminal convictions of people who apply for jobs in one another's country.

If successful the trial, to be held in Queensland initially, will be broadened.

Rather than a trial, Labour says it makes more sense to get the Privacy Commissioners in New Zealand and Australia to work together on some safeguards that could be inserted into legislation both countries could then pass.

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