Privacy Policy

Advance Cairns is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. By registering as a member of Advance Cairns, registering to attend an Advance Cairns event, or registering to receive email marketing correspondence (such as newsletters) from us, you consent to the collection, use and transfer of the information you provide under the terms of this policy.

We have voluntarily adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (“the Privacy Act”). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information has the meaning given to it in the Privacy Act and includes information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including through your attendance at Advance Cairns events, through written correspondence, by telephone, by email, or via our website www.advancecairns.com

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of:

providing you with membership updates;
to fulfill your requests for information or services;
to communicate with you generally in relation to Advance Cairns activities;
to contact you in order to send you details of events, seminars, activities, services and advocacy priorities;
for all other purposes consistent with the proper performance of the operations of Advance Cairns;
to comply with all legal obligations; and
generally, to conduct our business.

We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information has the meaning given to it in the Privacy Act and includes information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

for the primary purpose for which it was obtained; or
for a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose; or
with your consent; or
where required or authorised by law.

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

to our employees, officers, agents and business partners to whom it is necessary to disclose this information for the proper performance of the obligations, objects and operations of Advance Cairns;
to other Members to whom it is necessary to disclose this information for the proper performance of the obligations, objects and operations of Advance Cairns;
third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
where required or authorised by law.

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and request to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

Advance Cairns will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

If we make any substantial changes we will notify you by posting a prominent notice on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, or wish to request a copy of your Personal Information, please contact us at:

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer

Advance Cairns

PO Box 3065

CAIRNS QLD 4870

Phone: 07 4080 2900

Fax: 07 4031 3994

E-mail: admin@advancecairns.com

We may ask you to lodge your complaint in writing. A complaint will be investigated by our Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, who is also our privacy officer. You will be notified of the making of a decision in relation to your complaint as soon as practicable after it has been made, usually within thirty (30) days. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may direct the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at:

GPO Box 5218

Sydney NSW 2001

Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

Phone: 1300 363 992