The Committee advises the Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, on relevant matters, recommends material for inclusion in the Commissioner’s guidelines and engages in community consultation for the protection of individual privacy.

Banks is the chief executive officer of the public interest and advocacy centre and the director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House. She has had extensive experience in the promotion of civil liberties and will bring that expertise to the Committee. Her appointment is for three years as a part-time member of the Committee.

“I congratulate [Banks] on her appointment to the Privacy Advisory Committee,” Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock said.