MEDIA RELEASE - UNCERTAINTY GROWS ON THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL ID UNDER LABOR

PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Manager of Opposition Business in the House

MEDIA RELEASE

7 August 2023

UNCERTAINTY GROWS ON THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL ID UNDER LABOR

Recently announced Machinery of Government changes to federal identity policy raise yet more questions about the future of digital ID under the Albanese Labor Government.

On 3 August 2023, responsibility for identity and biometrics policy was transferred from Home Affairs to the Attorney-General’s department. What remains entirely unclear is how these responsibilities would align with the work of the Department of Finance which is, apparently, leading work on a legislated digital ID.

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy, Paul Fletcher, said the change did not augur well.

“Identity policy is being passed around like a hot potato by Labor Ministers,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This latest decision follows from the unexplained move by the Albanese Government last month to strip the Digital Transformation Agency of its responsibility for digital ID.

“The lack of clear and consistent leadership is delaying progress on legislating digital ID.

“At last month’s AFR Government Services Summit, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said she didn’t want to be held to any legislative timetable on digital ID.

“This is despite the overdue MyGov User Audit calling on the government to “urgently” progress work digital ID and a recent Productivity Commission report similarly urging action.

“Government Services Minister Bill Shorten is MIA on the serious policy work that needs to be done, preferring instead to play political games.

“The confusion around digital ID is crippling the ability of the private sector to plan for a whole-of-economy system.

“The government’s inaction is in stark contrast to the record of the Coalition Government which undertook years of formal consultation with industry, established the Trusted Digital Identity Framework, created MyGovID, oversaw the first accreditation of a private sector identity exchange, and introduced draft legislation to expand digital ID in late 2021.

“So far, Labor have tinkered around the edges of digital ID without doing the hard yards.”

ENDS

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]