A parliamentary report into the Identity-matching Services Bill 2019 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019 has recommended both bills be strengthened to provide protections for Australian citizens.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 24 October 2019

A parliamentary report into the Identity-matching Services Bill 2019 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019 has recommended both bills be strengthened to provide protections for Australian citizens. Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Mr Andrew Hastie MP, says the report agrees with the objectives of both bills, but supports concerns from submitters that protections for individual’s rights should be more explicitly incorporated. ‘The bills have strong intentions and will become important tools, particularly in fighting identity crime,’ Mr Hastie said. ‘Together, the bills aim to make identity-matching easier for prescribed entities whose responsibility it is to safeguard citizens and to reduce identity theft.’ The report recommends that the Bills be re-drafted according to principles relating to privacy, transparency, governance, and user obligations. Media inquiries: Chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP (Canning, WA) 08 9534 8044 (Electorate office) 02 6277 4223 (Parliament House) For background information: Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au