In June 1985, the Hawke Labor Government proposed introducing a national identification system and estimated that it might collect an additional $800 million in taxation.
Called the 'Australia Card', the primary purpose was to prevent losses to revenue through the taxation system and the payment of Commonwealth benefits. It was argued that tax evasion would be reduced because the card would enable better matching of information and would have to be produced when opening bank accounts, investment, buying and selling real estate and applying for a job. Apart from tax evasion and social security fraud, illegal immigrants were also a target of the scheme.
When the government introduced legislation in the parliament in 1986, it was met with significant resistance by members of their own party and the Senate. After the bill was blocked numerous times by the Senate, the government abandoned the idea.
The Hawke Government made several key mistakes in its preparations for the Australia Card. It had made assumptions about the right of government that did not match community expectations. People felt that the government did not have the mandate to do as it pleased. Also, the government was simply unable to establish that it and its law enforcement agencies could be trusted.
In its place, the Hawke government strengthened the Tax File Number system. Along with the expansion of the Medicare card in 2006, the government now use these two systems as key identification in the online system for government services.
Called the 'Australia Card', the primary purpose was to prevent losses to revenue through the taxation system and the payment of Commonwealth benefits. It was argued that tax evasion would be reduced because the card would enable better matching of information and would have to be produced when opening bank accounts, investment, buying and selling real estate and applying for a job. Apart from tax evasion and social security fraud, illegal immigrants were also a target of the scheme.
When the government introduced legislation in the parliament in 1986, it was met with significant resistance by members of their own party and the Senate. After the bill was blocked numerous times by the Senate, the government abandoned the idea.
The Hawke Government made several key mistakes in its preparations for the Australia Card. It had made assumptions about the right of government that did not match community expectations. People felt that the government did not have the mandate to do as it pleased. Also, the government was simply unable to establish that it and its law enforcement agencies could be trusted.
In its place, the Hawke government strengthened the Tax File Number system. Along with the expansion of the Medicare card in 2006, the government now use these two systems as key identification in the online system for government services.