Online Screening Applications

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. Now that the minister has had a week to get a briefing, can the minister inform the house what steps will be taken to prevent identity theft with the proposed online applications for screening checks?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:47): I think the question is to me as Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion. As you know, in the past budget this government committed to $500,000 for an online form. As I said many times, we see about 12 per cent of the forms incomplete or incorrect and they need to be sent back.

What we will be using is the government Document Verification Service, which I understand the Department of the Premier and Cabinet uses. However, people with passports, birth certificates and driver's licences will be able to use their ID online or ID can be shown at a verified organisation's requesting officer who can physically sight the 100 points. Of course, we will continue to have the option of having the printed form and having it sighted by a verifying officer at the screening unit.