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New Digital ID law risks overreach and excluding those without technology warns David Littleproud

David Littleproud, leader of the Nationals, cautions against Labor's Digital ID laws, citing concerns of government overreach and exclusion. He advocates for voluntary usage and alternative access options.

By news@gippsland - 17th May 2024 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is warning Labor's new Digital ID legislation risks government overreach and locking people out of systems who don't have the technology required. Mr Littleproud said the Bill on Australian government Digital ID Systems (AGDIS) had been steamrolled through Parliament, after debate in the Senate was guillotined.

David Littleproud noted Opposition's worry: State, Territory Digital ID lacks volunteer basis. They insist on non-digital alternatives, criticising government's haste

Digital ID concerns

Mr Littleproud said the Bill was very different to the draft released by the Coalition in 2021. "The Nationals are concerned Labor's Digital ID will not operate on a genuinely voluntary basis, as was originally intended, while also failing to operate without causing detriment to those who choose not to have a Digital ID."

"The Nationals therefore pushed for a stronger guarantee that having a digital identity would be voluntary and those who wished to use traditional paper-based ID wouldn't face a lower quality service."

"While Digital ID might be used for security and convenience, the ID could lead to issues with government overreach and security breaches. It could also force people into mandatory use and essentially 'locked out' without the ID," Mr Littleproud said.

Opposition's concerns voiced

Mr Littleproud added the Opposition is also concerned that the Digital ID systems of State and Territory governments won't operate with the same volunteer-basis and safeguards. "We believe there should always be an alternative, non-digital means to access government services but the vote could make that much harder.

"It is unacceptable that the government is proceeding and a grave failure by the Minister for Finance without first having the states and territories fully onboard via a national strategy. Labor has also introduced this without first reforming the Privacy Act. The Nationals voted against Labor's AGDIS due to ambiguity, the increased risk of cybercrime, more bureaucracy and an incoherent, unsustainable structure," he said.

Pictures from Service Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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