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Australia is on the brink of a significant digital transformation as the government prepares to roll out digital identification (ID) systems nationwide, aiming to ensure citizens are well-informed and engaged throughout the process.
The Australian government has been actively engaging with the public regarding the digital ID rollout through various communication channels and initiatives. The Department of Finance has conducted public consultations to gather input for informing the legislation. Furthermore, they have participated in Senate Economics Legislation Committee inquiries to address inquiries about the legislation and the consultation process.
In addition to these efforts, the government has introduced the Digital ID Bill 2023 and the Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023 to Parliament. These bills are designed to enhance the safety and security of using a Digital ID and promote consistency across the economy through an accreditation scheme.
Active engagement on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn has played a crucial role in assessing public sentiment regarding the new Digital ID rollout. Some X users have expressed concerns about the rollout, with some advocating for a delay in the overall strategy.
The expansion of Australia’s Digital ID System aims to yield economy-wide benefits, including reducing the risk of identity theft, enhancing privacy, and streamlining ID verification processes to save businesses time.
At the beginning of 2024, national bank NAB and Bixelab, a biometrics testing provider, voiced concerns in submissions to parliament regarding the Digital ID Bill that will govern the Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS).
Currently, there are over 10.5 million myGovID accounts, the Commonwealth’s Digital ID, providing users access to over 130 government services. Additionally, several private sector accredited Digital ID providers are already operational.
As of now, the government has set a tentative rollout date of July 1, pending the passage of legislation through federal parliament.
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