The Queensland Smartcard Driver’s Licence
Is this the biggest privacy threat this year? If so, nominate it for a Big Brother Award!
Current Status
It never pays to rely on statements by politicians. It appeared that, by early 2005, the Queensland Government had accepted the arguments put to it by many, including the APF in late 2003, that a licence should not be a multi-purpose identification token
But Beattie, presumably in trouble again and needing another diversionary tactic, re-announced a multi-function card at the end of 2005.
Resources
- ‘Smart licence back on the cards’ Emma Chalmers, Courier Mail, 30 December 2005: “For the fifth time in two years, the State Government yesterday touted its plan to tackle identify fraud with a smart card driver’s licence using microchip technology. … Mr Beattie also said he hoped the Government would be able to develop a card that incorporated up to nine other licences and serve commercial purposes as well”
- ‘Smartcard licences not so smart’, Chris Jenkins, The Australian IT Pages, 01 February 2005: “Smartcard licences to be issued to Queensland drivers will not be multifunction transaction cards. Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the card would be confined to its main purpose of licensing drivers”
- ‘State planning smart licence’, The Australian IT Section, Kelly Mills, 14 December 2004
- Stateline Queensland, 30 July 2004: “Civil libertarians say all Queenslanders should be concerned at a proposal for a new smart card drivers licence”
- ‘Privacy chipped away’, by Justin Malbon, 26 January 2004
- The APF’s Submission (November 2003)
- Roger Clarke’s Submission (November 2003)
- The Stop ID Card Web-Site
- The Qld Government’s page on ‘New Queensland driver licence, and its Information Kit and Consultation Paper (September 2003)