Australians to Get Compulsory Photo ID Smartcard

syousef writes "The Sydney morning herald reports that a new national ID card will be issued in Australia."From 2010 people will not be able to receive government health and welfare payments without a card. People may choose to have other information stored on the card, such as health and emergency contact details which, for example, ambulance officers could use.". Your papers please."

Comments

This is rediculous.

[NipsMG]

Your papers please.

This is a seriously rediculous statement. I understand the need for privacy, however I don't see how this is any more invasive than requiring a drivers license or a state ID or a passport to get certain benefits as well.

There is good reason for requiring identification for certain benefits to ensure that people don't abuse the system. As of right now, the USA doesn't have a "national ID card", however a drivers license is close enough. Police from any state can take your license and request all of your information.

This system not only simplifies that process, but allows you OPTIONALLY to put in more health and contact information to benefit you if you run into problems.

Passports, State ID Cards, Licenses, are all essentially the same thing. What the hell is the problem?

So What?

[ArcherB]

I've debated other Libertarians on this issue, and the main point they can not refute is, "So what?"

In nearly all 50 of these United States, you are required to carry some form of ID, usually a driver's license. Once you cross state lines, your ID is no longer familiar to those who may want to look at it (airport ticket counter, liquor store cashier, hotel clerk, police officer, EMT) and thus becomes easier to forge. A national ID instead of 50 differnt state ID's could help prevent this sort of thing and make absolutely no difference people's lives, as we are all required to carry a state ID already.

I've carried a state ID for over 20 years, and I've never had anyone ask to see my papers.