Hanson urges public input into Medicare card photo inquiry.

20/08/2019

Senator Pauline Hanson is encouraging the public to submit their views to an inquiry investigating whether we need photo identification printed on our Medicare cards.

A Bill to add the extra security measure to the plastic cards has been put forward by Sen Hanson and One Nation to reduce cases of fraud in the health system and make significant savings to the health budget.

The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs is holding an inquiry into the Bill, with the public invited to make submissions to that investigation.

Senator Hanson believes it is just too easy to commit fraud against the Commonwealth – with taxpayers bearing the cost – due to the simplicity of the card.

“Our Medicare cards are just a small bit of green plastic, with some text and numbers, but no security features,” Sen Hanson said.

“The identity of the ‘card holder’ can be easily faked due to that one big glaring shortcoming – no photo to help identify that the user of the card is actually the rightful owner.

“It’s easily used by someone who doesn’t actually own the card and who isn’t entitled to taxpayer-funded benefits.

“It is a practice that is costing Australia’s strapped health services and budget generally.”

Sen Hanson noted the plain Medicare cards could be used by family members, friends, as well as the 60,000-plus visa over-stayers who are not entitled to access Australia’s health services.

The cards can also be used as identification to set up bank loans, sign up for phone plans, apply for credit cards under a false name, registering a business and even buying or renting property.

“It’s quite a surprise really – in this era of security-consciousness, where almost every major business and government service provider requires you to satisfy several security questions and provide multiple items to prove your identity – that we do not yet in Australia have photos on our Medicare cards,” Sen Hanson said.

“We have photos on our driver’s licences, photos in our passports, university student cards and similar, all for security and identification purposes, and it makes sense to also have photos on our Medicare cards.

“Australia has left the entire Medicare bulk billing system vulnerable to abuse. It really is time for some serious action.”

Senator Hanson supports the Senate Committee inquiry into her Bill, to substantiate the extent of the misuse of Medicare cards and the cost to Australia.

Submissions to the inquiry must be lodged by August 30, to be followed by public hearings in September. The committee’s final report is scheduled to be tabled on October 16.

Details for making submissions are available here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/MedicarePhotoID

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