AustLII Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback

Elder Law Review

School of Law, UWS
You are here:  AustLII >> Databases >> Elder Law Review >> 2004 >> [2004] ElderLawRw 5

Database Search | Name Search | Recent Articles | Noteup | LawCite | Help

Bailey, Brenda --- "Photo Identification - NSW Moves In Line With Other States" [2004] ElderLawRw 5; (2004) 3 Elder Law Review 9


PHOTO IDENTIFICATION - NSW MOVES IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES

BRENDA BAILEY[1]

Over the past two years as the community became more alert and wary, consumer organisations in NSW received an increasing number of reports from older members describing their frustration at being refused service because photo identification was not produced. Some alleged that this was direct discrimination by government because a ‘Proof of Age’ card was only available to residents aged 18 to 25. A similar card is available to residents over the age of 18 in several other States. Other consumers alleged it was indirect discrimination on the part of service providers.

There does not appear to be any statutory or regulatory basis for requiring the presentation of photo identification in these situations. In fact, the Financial Transactions Reports Act 1988 which lists the documents which can be used to achieve the ‘100 Point Check’ allocates 70 points to a Birth Certificate and 40 points for a license ‘where they contain a photograph or signature that can be matched to the signatory’. Yet banks, routinely ask for the document, which is allocated fewer points under this Act for identify verification.

The NSW Government made the first step towards solving this problem on 29 October 2003, when the NSW Minister for Roads and Housing released a statement that a new photo identification card would be available by mid 2004. It is now, a year since the announcement and legislation has not been introduced to the State Parliament. An inter-governmental working party was established to oversee the development of the Photo ID proposal. Tony Steward, the Parliamentary Secretary for Roads has failed to answer our requests for information about who is on the working party, the name of the chair, or an expected date for the availability of the card.

The Photo Identification Access Alliance was formed in NSW to inform the community about this issue. The Alliance is a group of organisations representing population groups such as older people, visually impaired, people with disabilities, women and the financially disadvantaged. The Alliance will be monitoring the progress of the NSW Government with the expectation that the card will be introduced as soon as possible.

Further information about the Alliance is available by contacting policy@cotansw.com.au.


[1] Council on the Ageing (NSW)


AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback
URL: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ElderLawRw/2004/5.html