Businesses Can Now Join the National Digital ID Program in Less Than 2 Years
The national digital ID system in Australia has been a topic of debate for quite some time, but it seems that the discussions have finally come to a halt. According to One Nation senators, private businesses will soon be able to participate in the system within two years. The proposed Digital ID Bill 2023 was introduced to the Australian Senate on March 27, opening the door for businesses to join this groundbreaking initiative.
Currently, Australians can voluntarily use a digital ID to access government services such as MyGov, Centrelink, Medicare, and the Australian Tax Office. However, the new legislation aims to expand this system for use by state and territory governments, and eventually, the private sector. In order to garner support from key independents and possibly the Coalition, Minister for Finance and Public Service Katy Gallagher has made some changes to the bill.
Under the proposed amendments, accredited private businesses will be able to apply to join the Australian government Digital ID System within two years of the Act’s commencement. This means that businesses that are interested in participating can now have confidence that the system will be expanded to include them within a 2-year timeframe. Currently, private businesses are not able to join the system, so this amendment is a significant development.
In addition to opening up participation to private businesses, the government has also suggested amendments related to privacy, data retention, and deactivation of digital IDs. These changes aim to ensure that the use of digital ID remains voluntary and that alternative methods of verifying identity to access services are easy to use. The amendments also address concerns about data retention by requiring service providers to delete personal information when it is no longer needed.
Furthermore, the amendments aim to ease the burden on accredited small businesses by automatically applying the Privacy Act. This means that these businesses will no longer need to opt-in for coverage under the act, reducing administrative complexities.
While the government is pushing for the swift implementation of the digital ID system, One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has raised concerns about rushing the bill without proper debate. He voiced his concerns on social media, stating that the bill is being pushed through the Senate without discussion. This highlights the need for a comprehensive examination of the implications and potential consequences of the national digital ID system.
Similarly, Liberal Party Senator Alex Antic has also expressed concerns about the digital ID system. He sent a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, outlining his apprehensions and presenting an online petition with 123,000 signatures. Senator Antic believes that this bill is just the first step towards a digital future that Australians may not want, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance.
On the other hand, a survey conducted by the National Australia Bank (NAB) suggests that a significant portion of Australians are ready to embrace the national ID program. According to the survey, 46 percent of Australians are prepared to sign up for the program. While 14 percent stated that they were “very likely” to sign up, another 32 percent said they were “likely” to do so. However, there is still work to be done in terms of educating the public about digital ID systems and addressing any concerns they may have.
As the debate on the national digital ID system comes to a close, businesses can now look forward to participating in this groundbreaking initiative within the next two years. The amendments proposed by Minister Gallagher aim to address concerns about privacy, data retention, and accessibility. However, it is crucial that these changes are thoroughly examined to ensure that the implementation of the national digital ID system aligns with the interests and expectations of all Australians.
