Labor plans to dump access card

Simone Roberts

Human services shadow minister, Tanya Plibersek, has confirmed that her party would not proceed with the Federal Government’s $1.1 billion plan to replace the Medicare card and up to 17 social services cards with one card by 2010.

"As far as we're concerned, [the access card] is dead," she said.

Ms Plibersek’s statement follows confirmation from the Government last week that it would put off introducing legislation for the card until after the election.

The Howard Government proposed the project in April 2006, saying the card would improve the delivery of Australian Government health benefits, veterans' and social services, prevent fraud and protect personal information.

But Labor remains concerned about "significant privacy problems", claiming it is "simply a national ID card in disguise".

"It is an ill-conceived, poorly executed project that will cost a great deal more than the Government imagines or is prepared to admit," she said.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said while it did not have an official position on the card, it did think it had certain benefits for pharmacy.

"We saw benefits particularly from an administrative point of view for both pharmacists and patients. Because of that we worked with the government on its policy to iron out some privacy issues," a Guild spokesperson said, "but it’s not a key issue for us."

Ms Plibersek predicted the card would be an election issue.