Draft legislation for Australian Government Digital Identity System

Link at end of article to comment by 27 October

Minister Stuart Robert has released an exposure draft of the Trusted Digital Identity Bill to support the expansion of the Australian Government Digital Identity System (the System).

Legislation is required to expand the System to a whole-of-economy solution. This is so all levels of government and private sector – especially small and medium business, can participate and share in the efficiencies and benefits that Digital Identity will bring for them and the community.

The proposed legislation will enshrine in law, privacy and consumer safeguards for greater trust in the System as it expands. This includes more services and sectors, accelerating an economy-wide rollout.

The legislation also provides necessary authority for government to expand, maintain and regulate the System. It establishes permanent governance arrangements for the System, to be guided by principles of independence, transparency and accountability.

This is an important next step in a multi-year journey of consultation. We are asking for feedback on the draft legislation and the accompanying documents, to make sure the System meets expectations of Australian’s and Australian businesses.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the legislation, which once passed by Parliament, will establish permanent oversight and governance structures and enshrines in law important privacy and consumer protections.

"Our nation has transformed the way we go about our daily lives, using the internet to do our shopping to banking to accessing government services, so the Morrison Government is acting to ensure there is a secure, safe and easy way for Australians to access these services," Mr Robert said.

"A safe, thriving digital economy is the best way we can grow the Australian economy. This is not possible without digital identity – that is, a safe, secure and convenient way for Australians to prove their identity online".

"The work achieved in this space, and the future opportunities that legislation will enable, are critical parts of the Morrison Government’s ambition for our nation to be a leading digital economy and society by 2030,’ he added.

Minister Robert said the release of this exposure draft is the next step in a multi-year journey of consultation to ensure the legislation is robust, fit-for-purpose, and meets public expectations.

"The draft legislation I am releasing today will build on strong safeguards already in place, providing the authority for a consistent set of rules that will protect Australians and Australian businesses," Mr Robert said.

"We have been actively engaging all interested parties throughout the consultation process and this commitment to co-design and ongoing conversation continues with the opportunity to comment on the proposed legislation," he added

Submissions

Submissions are open until 5:00 pm AEDT on Wednesday 27 October 2021.

Visit digitalidentity.gov.au/have-your-say for more information.

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