Is this really ASIC Card Reform? Government Poised to Create New Issuing Bureacracy
In June of 2021 the Department of Home Affairs invited the aviation industry's ASIC Card Issuing Bodies to participate in a survey that sought feedback on five questions around the concept of a single issuing body.
Issuers took part in the questionnaire willingly, thinking the Department was seeking ways to improve the working partnership and relationships.
However, some months later they were caught entirely off guard by a government press release, which informed that on the 25th January 2022, the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, had announced the Government’s decision to implement a single government issuing authority for the aviation and maritime security identification card (ASIC and MSIC) schemes.
And, just like that.... a new government-run bureaucracy and 'authority' is born, and in doing so removing competition and choice from the market.
No doubt, in the long term this will result in a more expensive system that will be plagued by delays and inefficiency.
AOPA Australia is not aware of any consultation undertaken with the broader aviation industry or aviation user stakeholders, seeking to understand what the impacts of such changes would be.
The government has since communicated that it will commence closing out the existing Issuing Bodies as early as March next year.
AOPA Australia will be making a formal submission to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, The Hon Claire O'Neil MP, opposing the creation of a new government-run issuing body, citing a range of genuine concerns. A copy of our submission will be published online.
MTF...P2Â
In June of 2021 the Department of Home Affairs invited the aviation industry's ASIC Card Issuing Bodies to participate in a survey that sought feedback on five questions around the concept of a single issuing body.
Issuers took part in the questionnaire willingly, thinking the Department was seeking ways to improve the working partnership and relationships.
However, some months later they were caught entirely off guard by a government press release, which informed that on the 25th January 2022, the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, had announced the Government’s decision to implement a single government issuing authority for the aviation and maritime security identification card (ASIC and MSIC) schemes.
And, just like that.... a new government-run bureaucracy and 'authority' is born, and in doing so removing competition and choice from the market.
No doubt, in the long term this will result in a more expensive system that will be plagued by delays and inefficiency.
AOPA Australia is not aware of any consultation undertaken with the broader aviation industry or aviation user stakeholders, seeking to understand what the impacts of such changes would be.
The government has since communicated that it will commence closing out the existing Issuing Bodies as early as March next year.
AOPA Australia will be making a formal submission to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, The Hon Claire O'Neil MP, opposing the creation of a new government-run issuing body, citing a range of genuine concerns. A copy of our submission will be published online.
MTF...P2Â