National ID Cards

I have recently been reading about the current interest in compulsory identification cards for all Australians. This marked publicity and social discussion encouraged me to dig a little deeper beneath the surface to research the history of this idea, its uptake across the world and its feasibility for this nation.

The concept of a national ID card surfaced most recently following the July 2005 London bombings. Some sections within the Federal Government believe that this would be able to improve national security. Every citizen and permanent resident of Australia would have a card and their identities would be individually entered into a database. The purpose would be to streamline and improve the efficiency of the current databases available to the Government. It is about being both “citizen-friendly and citizen-efficient”. Another idea canvassed has been a new “smart card” which would allow each person to access government-provided services (such as Medicare) electronically.

Yet the idea of a national ID card is not new to Australia. In the mid-1980s, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke proposed an “Australia Card”. Designed to tackle identity theft and fraud, the Australia Card would be based upon a national identification number unique to every Australian. This would allow health insurance, income support and taxation information to be monitored. Opposition in the Senate, however, prevented any legislation passing through Parliament and such a scheme never came to pass.

Despite this, national ID cards are employed in many other countries around the world. Most European nations, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand all have a form of identification. The United Kingdom recently approved such an ID card. In February, the House of Commons passed the Identity Cards Act 2006, allowing ID cards to be introduced in stages. Firstly, all biometrical data – including fingerprints, fascial and eye scans, will be updated and uploaded onto passports or drivers’ licences. From 2008, there will be a voluntary ID card and a national identity register will be created from people applying for new passports. Details such as people’s names, their date of birth, nationality, residential address and immigration status would all be recorded. Everyone with a passport will be issued with a compulsory ID card from 2010 onwards.

With social opinion in Australia still very much divided, it is appropriate to analyse arguments both supporting and opposing a national ID card. Most importantly, an ID card would aid counterterrorism measures. Identity theft would be minimised and, hence, terrorists and organised criminals would find it more difficult to use false and multiple identities. A smart card would also reduce abuse of public services and prevent any ‘benefit fraud’. Financial assistance would only be provided to those who truly need and deserve it. Whilst being beneficial, an ID card also has its drawbacks. There is a large intrusion into people’s privacy by listing all their personal information on a national database. To implement such a large-scale, sweeping change to data collection across Australia would be impractical and incur massive costs. There is also a concern that the functions of this card could ‘grow’ as the Government gradually increases its prying eyes on the people.

Whether you support this issue or not, one thing is for sure – many months / years of debate lie ahead…