New South Wales to Join Australian Face-Matching Network Under Crime Bill

New South Wales is preparing to join Australia’s national face-matching network under legislation targeting identity fraud and organized crime exploiting evolving technology.

According to a media release from the state government, the bill would allow Transport for NSW to securely share driver licence and photo card images through the National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution. The states of Western Australia and South Australia are already connected, while Victoria has also begun sharing driver licence information with the system.

The state government says face matching could prevent criminals from using identity information exposed in data breaches to create fraudulent identities. The technology could detect when someone attempting to open a bank account with stolen documents does not match their legitimate owner. According to the government, around one in four Australians fall victim to identity theft every year, costing businesses around A$2.2 billion (approx. US$1.55 billion).

The legislative package would also introduce Australia’s first Digital Evidence Access Orders. These would give police the power to compel individuals to provide access information for devices suspected of links to organized crime.

Attorney General of New South Wales, Michael Daley, said:

These are innovative measures that will give investigators strong and effective powers to combat the threats posed by new technologies that can be exploited by criminals.

The bill would also allow police investigating serious offenses or missing-person cases to access unredacted images from public toll-road cameras. If passed, this would be introduced in stages, beginning with cameras on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

Jenny Aitchison, the state’s Minister of Roads, said:

Our toll road network generates information that can be valuable to police— - supporting investigations into serious criminal offences, organised crime, coronial matters, and helping to reunite missing people with their families.