With the fast developing movement towards e-services in the healthcare sector in Australia and overseas, there is a need to urgently consider emerging Privacy and Security issues. We are currently at a turning point where concerns regarding privacy legislation, standardization and implementation constraints are converging at the same time as the introduction of unified electronic healthcare records at a national level. Consideration of all aspects of these concerns has taken on an urgent impetus. These developments have acted as a catalyst to launch, as a high priority, this inaugural national symposium focusing specifically on Privacy and Security in e-health, telematics and other related health information systems. Such notable concerns have emerged with healthcare providers in both the public and private sectors. Under the auspices of the Australian Research Council and in conjunction with QUT's Information Security Institute and CSIRO's Preventative Health National Flagship and e-Health Research Centre as well as Red Hat (Australia), e^hPASS-06 (pronounced ee-pass) will bring together key ICT, Health, Policy and Legal professionals in practice, in business, in government or undertaking research.

It's a great time of year to visit Brisbane and its surrounds - not too hot and before the crowds hit the coast with the many fixed attractions. Why not combine your visit with the Indy 300 races on the Gold Coast (October 19-22 - http://www.indy.com.au/) or join the 8000+ competitors at the Sunshine Coast for the Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (October 25-29). Its not referred to the Smart State and the Sunshine State for nothing - see you in October.