Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Babet for the question. Just for the record, we don't meet often! At all! I haven't seen the post that he refers to. But the digital ID legislation makes it clear that the digital ID is voluntary for individuals accessing government services. The legislation makes that clear.

I have also been on the record saying that for businesses it is a requirement to use myGovID for certain engagements with the ATO, and that is for security reasons and to minimise the risk of fraud relating to businesses and their transactions with the ATO. But the legislation is very clear that digital ID is voluntary and that options for individuals to access government services must be maintained for those who choose not to have a digital ID.

But the idea behind a digital ID is to improve security for personal information, and we know that Australians are very worried. About three-quarters of Australians are worried about theft of identity, cybercrime, scams et cetera, and this is a really important way of reducing the risk by reducing the amount of personal information that's required to rent a house, to engage with government at times and to engage with the private sector as well. It's about reducing it and allowing the person to control that verification of their identity.