M.P. replays his card

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 1

M.P. replays his card

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter

The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, who took his colleagues by surprise with his week-end support on Australian television for an identity card, once admonished his Labour colleague, Mr Trevor de Cleene, for much the same thing. Mr de Cleene, then Undersecretary of Finance, returned from the Australian tax summit in July, 1985, publicly suggesting that a national identity card would cut tax and welfare abuse. Asked for his response, Mr Lange said, “My view is that Mr de Cleene would probably find a

greater receptivity to such ideas if he floated them to the Government first.” Mr Lange agreed Mr de Cleene was a creative thinker but said that if he thought more clearly he would go to: the Government first before going public on ideas. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, indicated on Monday there had been no recent Government discussion on an identity card before Mr Lange’s advocacy of it. Yesterday, however, Mr de Cleene said he would resume promotion of such a card, after Mr Lange’s favourable comments.

“The Prime Minister having at . least said it is worth discussion, it seems that by implication the cat is out of the bag as it were and. that my original floating has at least some endorsement for further inquiry.” As Minister for Revenue, Mr de Cleene will call on the Inland Revenue Department to prepare reports on an identity card scheme. These will be for Cabinet consideration. He will also brief the Labour caucus. Mr de Cleene, who said he was heartened by the initial public response to the Prime Minister’s suggestions, said such response would 'decide the fate of the

proposals his colleagues would consider. “I think that in the; face of a public acceptance of it they would see their way clear.” He envisaged an identity card which would only be used when taking up a job or seeking a •welfare benefit. People would not have to carry the card and would not have to produce it if stopped by the police. •; Mr de Cleene said he could not see how anyone’s civil liberties were endangered in such circumstances. But substantial tax and welfare abuse could be stopped.