In 1986 the (Labour) Australian Government proposed a national identity card. In 1987 it was almost put to the people at a referendum, but didn't make it due to the obviously overwhelming resistance by the people.
In 1992 or thereabouts the UK also considered a national identity card. Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher likened it to identity papers in NAZI Germany. It didn't get up.
In 2006 the (Liberal) Australian government re-introduced the national identity card with a new name; the Access card. It's not mandatory, but you'll need to have one to access welfare, education, health and other public services.
It's a triumph of the bureaucrats over the libertarians.
If Howard's Liberals lose the upcoming federal election let's hope Rudd's team cancel the initiative. Or put it to the people in a referendum.
Y0u can also read about the project in more detail at this site
You could get motivated about this issue. It's basically a choice between the cost savings and improved efficiency of one-card-to-rule-us-all versus a one to one relationship between citizens and services.
The Government will says it will reduce fraud, and besides; technology is inevitable. Well, smartcard technology is here, but so are land mines and no one I know things we should spread more landmines. Except maybe around Bar Cleveand.
I was pretty ambivalent about the whole thing until recently when I began to think about human rights abuses around the world, and how governments reinforce their power over the people gradually or quickly until the people are powerless and subject to... well all sorts of nasty things.
In 1992 or thereabouts the UK also considered a national identity card. Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher likened it to identity papers in NAZI Germany. It didn't get up.
In 2006 the (Liberal) Australian government re-introduced the national identity card with a new name; the Access card. It's not mandatory, but you'll need to have one to access welfare, education, health and other public services.
It's a triumph of the bureaucrats over the libertarians.
If Howard's Liberals lose the upcoming federal election let's hope Rudd's team cancel the initiative. Or put it to the people in a referendum.
Y0u can also read about the project in more detail at this site
You could get motivated about this issue. It's basically a choice between the cost savings and improved efficiency of one-card-to-rule-us-all versus a one to one relationship between citizens and services.
The Government will says it will reduce fraud, and besides; technology is inevitable. Well, smartcard technology is here, but so are land mines and no one I know things we should spread more landmines. Except maybe around Bar Cleveand.
I was pretty ambivalent about the whole thing until recently when I began to think about human rights abuses around the world, and how governments reinforce their power over the people gradually or quickly until the people are powerless and subject to... well all sorts of nasty things.
Or you could just forget about it. After all those Nazis sure could dress well. And they wore their boots over their trousers. That's supposed to be stylish, isn't it?
Want more? Read the background paper by the federal government.
And if this issue is important to you write to Rudd @ Myspace/Facebook
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