Vic: Cabinet split over ID cards - report

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2006
Vic: Cabinet split over ID cards - report

MELBOURNE, April 22 AAP - Federal ministers responsible for national security opposed
compulsory identity cards when the prime minister tabled the idea after the London bombings
in July last year, an investigation reveals.

Ministerial correspondence obtained by The Age newspaper shows Justice Minister Chris
Ellison wrote that the identity cards "pose a number of security and privacy problems".

Senator Ellison wrote to constituents, saying: "The government does not believe a national
identity card is the best way to increase the security of all Australians."

"A national identity card could also increase the risk of identity theft, as only one
document would have to be counterfeited.

"A single database containing everyone's personal details would also be at risk from
hackers, no matter how well it was secured."

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock had ruled out the introduction of the cards just two
weeks before the idea was tabled by John Howard.

A public inquiry into ID cards has since been stalled because of political divisions.

Instead, Human Services Minister Joe Hockey's proposal for a new "smartcard", which
allows electronic access to Medicare and other government services, has been the preferred
talking point on the national agenda.

A ministerial document, obtained under freedom of information laws, shows the proposed
smartcard and any form of national ID are closely linked.

"Should the government introduce a national ID card, it would likely be the prime authentication
token for gaining access to government and private sector services," the report said.

A spokesman for Mr Ruddock would not be interviewed about ID cards but said he would
like to see information on the cards' benefits versus the costs.

AAP jat/rj

KEYWORD: IDENTITY

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