p2pnet.net News- Millions of personal files on ordinary Australians are being shared between and among federal Australian government departments.

And it’s being made possible by under “dramatic extensions” of a little-known data matching scheme, says The Australian, quoting privacy advocates.

“Even before the possible introduction of a national identity card, federal agencies are increasingly cross-matching the personal data held in vast government databases to crack down on identity theft-related crimes ranging from terrorism to welfare fraud and tax evasion,” says the story.

The Attorney-General’s Department says identity theft costs the Australian economy more than $1.1 billion a year but, “privacy advocates, already concerned about the renewed Australia Card debate, believe the increased use of data matching could actually stymie the Government’s efforts to combat identity theft,” it says, adding:

“While the largest federal government data-matching program is covered by laws restricting the use of personal information, most activity is covered by less stringent voluntary guidelines administered by federal Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis.”

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See:-
The Australian – Personal data ‘being shared’, July 23, 2005

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