The privacy commission should be given the power to grant legal assistance to victims of seriously offensive intrusions on their personal privacy, the Law Reform Commission has recommended.
In a report on civil liability for invasion of privacy, issued at the same time as the media intrusion report, the commission's privacy subcommittee also called for two laws to be enacted so victims can seek civil remedies for 'unwarranted' invasion of privacy.
Peeping toms, eavesdroppers and paparazzi who search through the rubbish bins of celebrities could face lawsuits under the proposed laws.
Under one proposed law, any 'seriously offensive or objectionable' intrusion upon the 'solitude or seclusion' of a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy would be open to a lawsuit.
Knowingly giving offensive publicity to a matter concerning an individual's private life would also attract civil penalties under the other law the commission proposed. Victims of accidents or crimes who suffer offensive publicity in the press, for example, could bring legal action against the publishers.
Victims would be entitled to seek damages, an injunction and the return of any offensive material, such as photographs, that invaded their privacy.
