Police and government agencies will not be able to access Australians' online health records without a specific court order under new rules announced by the Turnbull government, which come following weeks of backlash over the My Health Record and crisis talks with medical bodies.
Privacy provisions for the record will be strengthened so that a court order is needed for information to be released without consent - although the government stressed no records had ever been released without one.
Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the changes on Tuesday night after talks with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
AMA President Tony Bartone told SBS News the minister had also agreed to consider extending the opt-out period by a month from the October 15 deadline, to allow people enough time to make their decision.
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Mr Hunt said the amendment would clarify the privacy protections and improve public confidence.
"The amendment will ensure no record can be released to police or government agencies, for any purpose, without a court order," he said.
Mr Hunt said no documents have been released in more than six years under the agency's policy and no documents will be released without a court order.
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