I also rise to make a contribution in support of the Crimes Amendment (Identity
Crime) Bill 2009.
As we have heard from Ms Mikakos, this bill proposes new
offences to cover the making, using or supplying of identifying information,
possessing identification information, and possessing equipment capable of
making identification documentation with the intent of committing an indictable
offence. The second aspect of the bill is that the offence of making, using or
supplying identification information will have a maximum penalty of five years
imprisonment, and possession offences will each have a maximum penalty of three
years.
The main reason I particularly wanted to speak on this bill is
because I witnessed a live example of stolen identity. It was in a workplace
where I was working approximately eight years ago. A worker had left his payroll
slip, a rates notice and a number of other items in his top drawer, thinking
that his office was reasonably secure.
Unfortunately a fellow employee stole that information and was
able to change his name by deed poll and get a new drivers licence. He was able
to get a photo of himself that had a different name but his own address. It was
only because a fax he sent from the workplace to a bank or financial institution
did not get through and bounced back to the workplace that the victim found out
exactly what was going on. As a result that family has endured a number of
humiliating situations. It is currently finding it very difficult to secure
loans and a number of other things. It is my absolute pleasure to see a bill
before the house that covers this very invidious situation. I am fully
supportive of it and commend this bill to the house.
