Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

PRIVACY ACT 1988 - SECT 53B

             (1)  This section applies if:

                     (a)  the respondent to a determination under subsection 52(1) is a contracted service provider for a Commonwealth contract; and

                     (b)  the determination includes:

                              (i)  a declaration under subparagraph 52(1)(b)(iii) that the complainant is entitled to a specified amount by way of compensation; or

                             (ii)  a declaration under subsection 52(3) that the complainant is entitled to a specified amount by way of reimbursement; and

                     (c)  at a particular time after the determination was made, the respondent:

                              (i)  dies or ceases to exist; or

                             (ii)  becomes bankrupt or insolvent, commences to be wound up, applies to take the benefit of a law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of any property for the benefit of creditors; and

                     (d)  at that time, the complainant had not been paid the whole or part of an amount referred to in subparagraph (b)(i) or (b)(ii).

             (2)  The Commissioner may determine in writing that a specified agency to which services were or were to be provided under the contract is the respondent to the determination under section 52. The determination has effect according to its terms for the purposes of section 60.

Note:          This means that the amount owed by the contracted service provider will be a debt due by the agency to the complainant.

             (3)  Before making a determination, the Commissioner must give the agency:

                     (a)  a notice stating that the Commissioner proposes to make the determination and stating the reasons for the proposal; and

                     (b)  an opportunity to appear before the Commissioner and to make oral and/or written submissions relating to the proposed determination.