Government shortlists consortia for smartcard driver licence

The new Queensland smartcard driver licence has moved a step closer with the announcement today of a shortlist to submit binding bids for the development of the new licence.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the new smartcard licence system would bring the way driver licences were currently made and the way information was stored into the digital age.

“The new licence will feature an embedded microchip, and this new technology will feature advanced cryptography, making the licence extremely difficult to inappropriately access or alter," Mr Lucas said.

The embedded chip will also allow licence holders the option to store emergency contact details.

Mr Lucas said a rigorous evaluation had identified four shortlisted consortia that had best demonstrated relevant experience and the capability to succeed with the project.

"This is about getting the right people to develop the most secure licence in Australia, and achieving value for money," Mr Lucas said.

The consortia are:

• EDS, consisting of Placard, Viisage, Sagem Australasia, Grabba International, ActivIdentity Australia and Sun Microsystems Australia;
• Fujitsu Australia, consisting of Giesecke and Devrient Australasia;
• Australia Post, consisting of Datacard South Pacific, Oberthur Card Systems Australia, Ingenico International (Pacific) and ActivIdentity Australia; and
• Leigh Mardon, consisting of LM Gemplus, Gemalto, Grabba International and Hewlett Packard Australia.

The government's Public Private Partnership (PPP) project will now progress to the next stage, with shortlisted bidders invited to submit comprehensive binding proposals for this leading edge project.

Queensland Transport is currently developing detailed documentation to allow the shortlisted consortia to fully develop their proposals. This will be issued to the consortia at the end of March.

When their proposals are received later in the year, they will be thoroughly assessed before the government decides on the preferred partner for this project to ensure that the best value for money for the people of Queensland is achieved.

Mr Lucas said it was a great opportunity for the government and private sector to work together to provide Queenslanders with the most secure licence in Australia.

"The new driver licence will significantly improve security for Queensland's 2.6 million licence holders, and reduce identity fraud," he said.

Rollout of smartcard driver licences will commence in 2009 with a pilot phase preceding this.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge: 3237 1942