Australian government prepares to introduce de facto universal ID card

Prime Minister John Howard and his ministers claim that the access card is not an ID card—it will not be compulsory, nor will people have to carry it for identity purposes. But it will inevitably become a de facto ID card, complete with photo and identity number. From 2010, no one will be able to receive a pension or social security benefit, a child support payment, medical services under the Medicare health scheme or treatment in a public hospital without it.

In the words of the government’s own advisory taskforce, “almost every Australian is likely to need an access card”. Secondary and tertiary students, for example, will be denied Austudy living allowances unless they have one. The same will apply to nearly three million aged and disability pensioners, taxpayers who receive family tax benefits, the unemployed and war veterans.

The most far-reaching aspect of the scheme is the creation of the first-ever national database of Australian citizens and residents. It will contain high-resolution biometric facial photographs of all cardholders, together with a digitised signature, card number and other personal details, including residential address, date of birth, social security and concessions status, and copies of all documents used as proof of identity. Details of children and other dependants will also be recorded, making the data virtually universal.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2007/feb2007/card-f23.shtml