Bradley

Pros:
 * Should Australia have a citizen ID card?**
 * A person can be easily identified.
 * At shops, the owners can ask for an ID card to make sure that a credit card belongs to that person.
 * Some people who can’t get a drivers licence or Medicare card can use the ID card instead.
 * The ID card is a much easier method for getting proof of someone’s details. The only other sure way is to do DNA testing.
 * May reduce age related crimes like drinking.

Cons:
 * Forgeries will appear soon after they come out.
 * If the card must be with you at all times it can become a problem.
 * Your personal data can be come easier to check. I.e. if you get sick with a disease an employer may not choose to employ you because they think you are a risk.
 * Everything bad which you do (speeding tickets, outstanding bills) can be checked and this may stop you from doing things.
 * The use of an ID card could lead to oppression and discrimination.
 * Things like drivers licence and Medicare care cards already serve as a means of identification.
 * It would cost a lot of money to bring in an ID card system.

In my opinion ID cards are a both good and bad. We already have cards which do a similar task like drivers licences and Medicare cards which can confirm a persons age and other details. Bringing in a new card would cost lots of money and you would have to make sure that everybody had a card which could be a long and difficult process. Yes, the ID cards may work for a time but forgery's will appear shortly after they are made and unless the person checking your data has a database nearby you shouldn't have much of a problem. If they were to make a mobile ID card checking device that would yet again cost more money. On the bright side people who don't or can't get a Drivers licence or Medicare card could get an ID card instead which would make there lives easier. Age related crimes like underage drinking might become less common because it would become harder to gain access to alcohol (excluding outside factors like older siblings). An idea which could be considered is making temporary ID cards for people who come over for vacations. This way there is a record of what they are doing during there stay.
 * SUMMARY**