Last Update: Wednesday, July 20, 2005. 7:46pm (AEST)
   
ID cards could infringe on privacy: AMA

The president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) says he 
has concerns about how easily private medical records could be accessed
through a national identification (ID) database.

Dr Mukesh Haikerwal says while there should be a debate about whether
to introduce a national ID card, terror attacks still happened in
Spain despite that country's national identification scheme.

Dr Haikerwal says a new survey by the AMA shows patients already 
have strong concerns about the privacy and security of their medical
records.

"We have a great concern about linking different databases and data
sets," he said.

"That linkage of data can be very insidious and can be very
destructive on a person's privacy and independence.

"I think that's something we've got to pay attention to."

More concerns

Meanwhile, Brendan Nelson has added his voice to those within 
the Coalition who have concerns about a national ID card.

So far Nationals Leader Mark Vaile and Workforce Participation
Minister Peter Dutton are the only two ministers to offer strong
support for an ID card.

Prime Minister John Howard suggested a ID card was worth examining 
as part of the fight against terrorism.

But a string of Cabinet members are worried about privacy, including
Dr Nelson.

"At this stage I have my reservations about Australia adopting 
a national identity card," he said.

"I think there are many things in this country we take for granted,
that we enjoy and one of them is the relative freedoms that we have.

"But as the Prime Minister said, and I support this, I think it's
something that we do need to examine."

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Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1418764.htm

Cheers, Steve...

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