Concerns at lack of Blue Card photo ID

THOMAS CHAMBERLIN LICENCES to work with children used by hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders do not require photographs despite almost every other identification card requiring one.

A Costco or theme park loyalty card and gym memberships all have more security than a Blue Card, which has barely changed since they were introduced in 2002 despite significant advances in technology.

Photographs are also required for driver’s licences, proof of age cards, security licences, firearms licences, maritime and aviation security licences, highrisk work licences, student cards and taxi driver licences. Many cards also have holograms.

Security experts, child-safety groups and senior police have raised concerns predators or unqualified people could ex- ploit loopholes in the Blue Card system in Queensland.

Victoria, WA, the ACT and NT all require photo identification on their working-withchildren check cards.

There are 660,000 Blue Card holders in Queensland.

Hetty Johnson, who is the founder of Bravehearts and is on the external panel for the Blue Card and foster care inquiry conducted by the Queensland Family and Child Commission, said: “It (adding photographs) is one of the first things we should be looking at.”

A senior police officer said in an era of “identity theft, fraud and predatory offenders” it was questionable why photographs were not a requirement on Blue Cards.

Australian Nannies Association president Annemarie Sansom said any extra identification on Blue Cards would be positive.