Identifying the Identity Thief: Is it time for a (smart) Australia Card?

Identity theft restricts victims’ lives, even if the stolen identity is not used for criminal purposes, as victims may be unable to obtain documents or benefits until the thief is prosecuted. The issue for regulators and consumers is that with the expansion of digital technologies identity theft is at once easier to perpetrate and harder to detect. This paper reviews the regulation of identity theft in Australia in light of the introduction by the Queensland Government on 7 February 2007 of a specific offence of identity theft. Aligned with this is the introduction on the same day by the Australian Government of the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007 under which a smart ‘Access Card’ will be issued to Australian residents who receive Federal benefits. This paper discusses issues that will influence the effectiveness of these schemes