What do the UK and Australia currently have in common? Both are looking to introduce identity cards. The UK says the cards are needed to tackle terror and illegal immigration. Australia's smartcard aka access card is designed to prevent Medicare and social security fraud. My mistake, it's not proposed that the proposed national smartcard system become a national identity card. That's just the fear of some Australians. The $1 billion access card will be rolled out in 2008, replacing 17 existing health and welfare cards. The Howard Government says the card is not compulsory, but after 2010 people without it will not be able to receive government hospital treatment, Centrelink benefits or claim for Medicare.
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