"All other mandated fields are in the control of the individual [and] there will be capacity for voluntary fields like organ donor status," he said. "I have no desire to control that additional information."

As with the cost justification, Hockey argues the smartcard will streamline existing processes in an environment where each year 500,000 Medicare cards go missing, and 600,000 people are turned away from Centrelink because of lack of identity.

"That's why we need to have photo to ensure the person is in fact the person," he said.

"Virtually every interaction with government has your signature but, shock horror, we will have your signature on the smartcard! This is not an Australia card [and] people will be provided with technology-neutral protections."

Hockey said it's not rocket science to suggest the Access Card may represent the most significant reduction in red tape of all time.