A national identity card would be extremely unlikely to offer protection against a terrorist attack on Australia, according to the Australian Democrats.
"The existence of a compulsory national identity card system did little to stop terrorist attacks in Spain," Democrats Privacy Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
"There are no compelling reasons for such government intrusion into the private lives of individual Australians. It is vital that we find a balance between security and privacy.
"Such a scheme is inappropriate, particularly given the inadequacy of our current privacy laws.
"The recent Senate inquiry into privacy which I initiated found that Australian privacy laws are inconsistent, confusing, full of exemptions, and years behind technology.
"The implications of a national identity card for individual privacy are even more grim than those surrounding the failed Australia Card. Due to advances in technology, the most private and sensitive information about who we are as individuals can be stored in central government databases.
"It is extremely disturbing that such long held rights to privacy are being so persistently eroded.
"The privacy rights of all Australians are being assailed from every quarter, with a raft of proposals threatening to dramatically undermine our privacy.
"Not only is debate continuing on indefinitely extending the powers of ASIO to question and detain suspects for up to seven days without charge, but Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has proposed that ASIO be placed above the scrutiny of Parliament.
"It would appear, given the number of contradictory statements on the issue, that the Government is testing the waters of the electorate. It is my fervent hope that Australians will vocally express their contempt for such an unwarranted government intrusion into their private lives," Senator Stott Despoja said.
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