$15bn bill blocks ID card

Steve Lewis
DECEMBER 16, 2005

THE chances of a national identity card are fading, with business and
police voicing concerns over the costs and logistics of implementing 
a blanket system.

Leading business groups say the cost of an "Australia card" could blow
out to $15 billion, and Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison has
conceded the financial impact could stymie a national approach.

Police have raised concerns as to how effective the cards would be
without the use of biometrics technology, involving fingerprints or
other identifying features.

John Howard raised the prospect of a national identity card in July
after Queensland Premier Peter Beattie suggested such a system would
have prevented the wrongful detention of Cornelia Rau and Vivian
Alvarez.

Senator Ellison said yesterday the controversial plan was still "under
consideration" with some ministers understood to support the ID card
as part of the fight against terrorism. 

[...]

Federal and state police ministers have been working on ways to
improve identity security as a part of their counter-terrorist
measures.

"We are bringing all these strands together that could make a
difference on ID security," Senator Ellison told The Australian
yesterday.

However, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the
costs of a national identity card could be as high as $15 billion.

The well-connected business lobby is firmly opposed to the identity
security blueprint, arguing it would heavily increase their regulatory
burden. 

[...]

Full article at "Australian IT"...
australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17581391%5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Cheers, Steve...

---