http://digbig.com/4hhmt
"Does the planned government health and welfare access card constitute an identity card? And if not, does the card and associated systems provide a solid platform for the introduction of an Australia Card-style system down the track? These are just some of a multitude of questions being posed in the light of yesterday's announcement that a smart card with photograph identity would be phased in for about 11 million Australians between 2008 and 2010 at a cost of about AU$1 billion. While the card is technically non-compulsory, if you want to claim government benefits of any kind, you will have to sign up by 2010."
