TASMANIANS could be able to access their licences via their smartphones in the near future, after the government said it would monitor the idea’s success interstate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
New South Wales opted to introduce digital licences earlier this week, with the new concept to come into effect next year, following a Liberal Party election promise in 2015.
The idea will mean all residents will be able to access digital copies of their various licences on their phones.
But the suggestion has prompted some backlash, with security agencies concerned it will promote identity theft.
On Thursday, a government spokesman said the Tasmanian government would keep a close eye on NSW’s progress.
‘‘The government is monitoring progress of the adoption of electronic licences in New South Wales and we will be interested to learn of their experience with the technology,’’ he said.
Aspects of Tasmania’s licensing regulation have already gone digital, with the introduction of a digital licensing system for boat licences in recent years.
The government has also set up a digital system for the renewal and transfer motor vehicle registrations.
The first licences to go digital in NSW will be recreational fishing licences, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) licences, and responsible conduct of gambling (RCG) licences.
NSW Finance and Services Minister Dominic Perrottet is expected to announce the initiative on Wednesday during his keynote speech at the GovInnovate forum in Canberra.
‘‘This technology will allow our citizens to display, apply, update and renew their licences using their smartphone, with real time information also available,’’ he told Fairfax Media this week.
But security experts have warned the concept could come at a cost.
‘‘A move to digitising licences is not so much introducing a new security risk as it is changing the existing security position,’’ one expert told Fairfax Media this week.
‘‘Our licensing data already exists online (you can check your demerit points via the RTA website), plus we’ve seen many cases of fraud with physical licences.’’