[Greens-Media] Access card still a dangerous dud

[Lawson, Damien (Sen K. Nettle)]

Access card still a dangerous dud

The government's revised Access card plan is a still a dangerous
national ID card Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said today.

She also said the exposure draft of a new access card bill still retains
the same loopholes and problems of the old bill that forced the
government to withdraw it several months ago.

"Virtually nothing has changed in the last few months except we now have
a new minister and a new round of spin", Senator Nettle said.

"The card will still have a photo and all Australian adults will need to
have one."

"There are still no proper safeguards in the bill and there will still
be a national population data base."

"In some ways the bill is worse confirming that police and ASIO will be
able to access the national database without a warrant."

"How the card will interact with the many concession systems of state
government services and businesses has still not been explained."

"The card is a multi-billion white elephant, and the Minister knows it
that is why he buried it for the election by allowing two months for
release of the exposure draft."

"The Greens will continue to oppose the card as a violation of the
privacy and civil rights of all Australians."

For more information: Damien Lawson 0419 253 342




Damien Lawson

Office of Greens Senator Kerry Nettle
Tel: 02 9690 2038 Fax: 9690 2041
www.kerrynettle.org.au