Privacy Policy

The Susan McKinnon Charitable Foundation (ABN 12 653 756 597) and our subsidiaries and affiliates in Australia (collectively McKinnon) is committed to respecting the privacy of people interacting with McKinnon.

This Privacy Policy (the Policy) sets out the way in which McKinnon collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information. It also explains your rights and how to contact McKinnon. McKinnon is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). By providing personal information to McKinnon, you consent to our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Policy and any other arrangements that apply between us. We may change this Policy from time to time by publishing the updated policy on our website. We encourage you to check our website periodically to ensure that you are aware of our current Privacy Policy. 

In this Policy, “we”, “us” or “our” means Susan McKinnon Charitable Foundation Limited (McKinnon).

“Personal information” includes information or an opinion about an individual that is reasonably identifiable. This may include your name, age, postcode and contact details. It may also include financial information where relevant. 

About McKinnon

McKinnon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation which exists to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. We are driven by curiosity and a desire to bring diverse perspectives together to create meaningful debate. We have the courage to make bold decisions and are driven by the urgency that meaningful work creates. We exist to make impact that matters.  

Contact us for a full list of companies comprising McKinnon that are subject to this Privacy Policy.

What personal information we collect 

The types of personal information we collect depends on your interaction with us and the services you request, and may include: 

• Name, email address, postal address, phone number and other contact details 

• Information about your employer or an organisation you represent 

• Professional details 

• Any additional personal information you provide to us or authorise us to collect as part of your interaction with McKinnon or related organisations, such as newsletter subscriptions or prize nominations 

• Device and usage information such as IP address, browser information and usage data collected via cookies 

Prospective employees or applicants 

• Name, contact details, qualifications, work history and other information relevant to recruitment 

• Information from third parties (for example, recruitment agencies or nominated referees) 

• If we make an offer, additional details such as your tax file number and superannuation information, and background checks where required for certain roles 

Other individuals 

For individuals who interact with us on a commercial or other basis, we may collect name, contact details and information about our interactions and transactions 

• If you participate in events we manage or deliver, we may collect images or audio‑visual recordings that identify you 

• In limited circumstances, we may collect sensitive information, for example health information if you are injured at an event we promote or deliver 

• Where we collect personal information about children, we will seek decisions from a parent or guardian where the child is not sufficiently mature to make decisions about their personal information 

You can decline to provide requested personal information, but we may not be able to provide some or all services as a result. 

Collection of sensitive information

 McKinnon acknowledges that, from time to time, it may collect and hold sensitive information (as defined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)) for legitimate organisational, research or project-related purposes. Such sensitive information is not collected via our websites and will only be collected directly from you (or with your consent) in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

 In the course of our programs, we may collect sensitive information such as political opinions or affiliations, professional background, or policy interests of participants. This information is collected with consent and used only for the purpose of program delivery, mentoring, and evaluation. Sensitive information will be handled with care and safeguards consistent with our legal and ethical obligations.

How we collect personal information 

We generally collect personal information directly from you, including via phone, email, online forms, social media, or in person. We may also collect information from other sources where appropriate, including: 

• Affiliated and related companies 

• Public records 

• Third party suppliers and contractors who assist us to operate our organisation 

McKinnon also collects and uses personal information for research purposes, including to evaluate and improve its programs, and to inform future initiatives. Any use of personal information for research will comply with this Policy and applicable privacy laws.

 When you apply for a role with us, we may collect information from recruitment consultants, your previous employers and other referees. This Privacy Policy does not apply to acts and practices relating to employee records of our current and former employees to the extent these are exempt under the Privacy Act. 

Why we collect, use and disclose personal information

We may collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information to: 

• Respond to requests for information, general enquiries and complaints

• Manage, plan, evaluate, advertise and administer programs, events and competitions 

• Verify and manage McKinnon Prize nominations and engage with nominees or applicants in McKinnon Prize or McKinnon Institute activities with consent 

• Conduct and support research projects and initiatives, including social, policy and organisational research relevant to McKinnon’s mission

• Conduct research, quality assurance and internal reporting 

• Develop, research and expand our facilities and services 

• Inform you about our activities, events, facilities and services 

• Improve the functionality and performance of our website 

• Administer recruitment processes including volunteers, internships and work experience 

• Fulfil administrative functions associated with our services, including billing, contracting and relationship management 

• Comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce agreements 

We may also disclose your personal information to a trusted third party who holds other information about you. That third party may combine the information to develop anonymised insights to help us better understand preferences and enhance our services. 

Using our website and cookies 

You may visit our websites without identifying yourself. If you identify yourself, any personal information you provide will be managed in accordance with this Policy. 

Our websites use cookies and Google Analytics to help operate and improve the sites and deliver content. We may collect device type, browser type, IP address, pages accessed on our websites and third party sites, time on pages, search terms and referrals. You are not identifiable from such information. You can control cookies in your browser settings, but some site functionality may be affected. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the browser addon available at: Google Analytics Optout Addon. 

 Our websites may contain links to third party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of linked sites. 

Can you deal with us anonymously? 

Where lawful and practicable, we will provide the option to remain anonymous or use a pseudonym, for example when making a general enquiry. Generally, it is not practicable to deal with individuals anonymously on an ongoing basis. If we do not collect personal information, you may be unable to use our services or participate in the events, programs or activities we manage or deliver. 

How we hold and protect information 

We store information in paper-based files and secure electronic databases, including trusted third party storage providers in Australia and overseas. Personal information may be collected in paper form and converted to electronic form, with originals archived or securely destroyed. 

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference and loss, as well as from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Measures include: 

• Physical security controls at our premises 

• User access controls, passwords and network security including firewalls 

• Secure destruction or de‑identification of information we no longer require 

Transmission of information over the internet is not always secure. Exercise care when sending personal information online. 

Direct marketing 

We may use or disclose your personal information to inform you about our programs, offerings, promotions, events and other opportunities that may interest you. You may opt out at any time using the contact details below or the unsubscribe facility in our communications. We may still contact you about our ongoing relationship with you. 

How we use and disclose personal information 

• Consumers and participants: Where relevant to a service or program you access, we may disclose information to partners or service providers. 

• Customers and event participants: We may disclose personal information to partners and venues where necessary for event delivery. We may use images or audio‑visual recordings that identify you for promotional purposes where reasonably expected. 

Disclosure to contractors and service providers 

We may disclose information to third parties engaged to support our services, including data processing and analysis, surveys, IT services and support, website maintenance and development, printing, archiving, mail‑outs and market research. 

Personal information may also be shared among related and affiliated companies of McKinnon, and with the University of Melbourne and Monash University to jointly administer programs. Third parties to whom we disclose your personal information may contact you directly and provide their privacy policies. 

Administration and management purposes 

We may use and disclose personal information to: 

• Administer billing, payments and debt recovery 

• Plan, manage, monitor and evaluate our services 

• Conduct quality improvement activities 

• Perform statistical analysis and reporting 

• Engage trusted service providers such as website hosts and email platforms 

• Train staff, contractors and other workers 

• Manage risk, legal liabilities and claims, including liaising with insurers and legal representatives 

• Respond to enquiries and complaints 

• Obtain advice from consultants and professional advisers 

• Respond to subpoenas and other legal orders and obligations 

We may also use and disclose personal information for other purposes explained at the time of collection or otherwise as set out in this Policy. 

Overseas disclosures 

We are an Australian-based organisation that works with collaborators and service providers globally. Your personal information is likely to be disclosed to overseas recipients. Unless an exception under the Privacy Act applies or we have your consent, we will take reasonable steps to ensure overseas recipients do not breach the Australian Privacy Principles in relation to your personal information. 

Accessing and correcting your personal information or requesting deletion 

You can request access to personal information we hold about you by contacting our Privacy Officer using the details below. We do not charge for making a request, but we may charge for the reasonable time and expenses incurred in compiling a response. 

 We take reasonable steps to ensure personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up to date. Please let us know if your details change or you notice any errors. If you believe information we hold is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading, you can request a correction.

 You may also request that we delete or de-identify your personal information where it is no longer required for the purposes set out in this Policy, or where you withdraw your consent (if applicable). We will take reasonable steps to comply with such a request unless we are legally required to retain the information.

 If we decline your request for access,  or deletion as permitted by law, we will provide reasons and, in the case of a correction request, we will include a statement with your information about the requested access, correction or deletion.

To protect your privacy, we may need to verify your identity before providing access, making a correction, or processing a deletion request. 

Making a complaint 

If you have questions or concerns about this Policy or the way your personal information has been handled, you may contact our Privacy Officer using the details below. 

We will consider your complaint to determine whether there are simple or immediate steps to resolve it and generally respond within one week. If more detailed consideration is required, we will acknowledge receipt within a week, may request further information, and endeavour to complete our investigation promptly. We may need to verify your identity. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 30 days, and let you know if more time is required. 

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on 1300 363 992 or via the contact details on the OAIC website. 

Contact us 

McKinnon Privacy Officer 

Level 11, 90 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 

privacy@mckinnon.co