Abetz downloads Coronavirus Contact App
SENATOR THE HON. ERIC ABETZ
LIBERAL SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
MEDIA RELEASE
27th April 2020
Abetz downloads Coronavirus Contact App
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has downloaded the Coronavirus Contact App after careful consideration and being satisfied with the extensive privacy safeguards.
“Whilst expressing my instinctive reluctance to accept government monitoring devices I’ve been persuaded on balance that the protections are so strong and the monitoring so minimal that the app’s design is a well-constructed, balanced response to the pandemic.
“What is more, this tool will enable us to resume normal activities more quickly than otherwise.
“Having a strong commitment to small government with limited interference in our daily lives I was initially concerned about the prospects of a monitoring app. But given the voluntary nature of the app, the capacity to delete the app at any time, its automatic deletion of data after 21 days and the exceptionally restricted access to its information I am convinced it will be a worthwhile tool to assist our monitoring of the virus and our return to a normal lifestyle.
“The conclusion I’ve come to is an ‘on balance’ decision and I believe it to be in all our individual and national interests. I encourage all Tasmanians to download the app – it is highly protected from a privacy point of view and has the capacity to save lives, jobs and our economy by potentially ushering in an earlier lifting of the current restrictions.”