According to a report from InnovationAus, one key amendment involves the incorporation of private sector identity service providers into the system within a specified two-year timeframe. This adjustment is being pursued in order to garner sufficient support from Senate members for the bill's approval.
See below for the key points:
Amendments to Digital ID Bill: The Australian Digital ID Bill is being amended to incorporate private sector identity service providers within two years to secure Senate approval.
Opposition Concerns: The Coalition and Greens expressed concerns about the original bill, with the Coalition labeling the incremental rollout as a "Big Government" approach.
Senate Approval: The Labor Party, lacking a majority, needs support from other parties to pass the legislation, making assurance of private sector accreditation within two years crucial.
Transparency Requirements: Amendments introduce transparency requirements for law enforcement accessing biometric data, including annual reports to the Attorney General presented to parliament.
Voluntary Nature of Digital ID: Language is added to clarify that the digital ID system is voluntary, with businesses required to maintain alternative service access methods.
Greens' Concerns: Greens Spokesman emphasizes the importance of genuine voluntariness and consent to avoid creating loopholes instead of protections.
Reactivation Consent: New rules mandate explicit consent for reactivating a deactivated digital ID.
Ban on Racial Identifiers: Finance Minister rejects proposals to include racial identifiers in the digital ID, despite resistance from Australian Payments Plus (AP+) arguing for inclusivity, particularly for Aboriginal communities.
Concerns about Biometric Testing: Biometric testing providers raise concerns about rules prohibiting the collection of racial or ethnic attributes, hindering their ability to assess racial bias in algorithms.
WUNA Digital ID Opportunity: The decision against including racial identifiers could benefit the WUNA Digital ID, aimed at enabling Australian Aboriginals to prove their status, if it is not considered a national digital ID under the bill.
