The federal government and the government of New South Wales (NSW) have partnered to implement a digital identification system. This system will allow individuals to securely store and manage their personal information online.
The system will make it easier for individuals to access government services. However, the exact details of the partnership are unclear, but it’s likely to have a significant impact on the citizens, government service and digital service.
Under the partnership, the federal government will allow myGov users to add their digital driver’s licenses to their wallets. Whereas the NSW government will modify its services NSW app to carry digital Medicare cards.
Driver’s licenses had an 80 percent uptake among NSW residents
Victor Dominello, NSW minister for digital and customer service, and Bill Shorten, federal minister for government services, announced the partnership. At a joint press conference, Dominello said that its digital driver’s license had an 80% uptake among residents of NSW.
It turned out to be in favor of the high uptake of the Service NSW app. As they needed the wallet for the driver’s license. He further expresses his feelings to give customers an option to store multiple credentials inside a single wallet.
Dominello said.“We need to empower people and this way we break down the silos, not just between insider government agencies but between federal and state governments. This is a really big step forward for digital infrastructure in this country.”
More States, More services to follow
Meanwhile, a federal government minister said, “I’m optimistic that if we can demonstrate by leadership between NSW and the Commonwealth, people who live in other states are going to say, ‘Where’s our digital driver’s license and why can’t put it on our app?’”
He believes the more states get involved, the more services will follow.
He added.“Other forms of digital ID should be available, and I think that’s where people want to go”,
Dominello said added NSW is hoping to make changes on its end “by the end of the year, but at a stretched target early in the new year, also within the existing budget. He said “is not just about moving credentials where people like, it’s about setting up a framework to resolve some wrinkles in the digital system at the moment.”
