LOST passports may soon be a thing of the past, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop revealing Australian officials are planning a digital passport trial.
The idea, still in its early stages, was the result of a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff competition aimed at boosting innovation.
Ms Bishop said cloud technology would be used to turn the passport chip into a “purely digital one”.
“We’re in discussions with New Zealand and if we’re able to put in place the appropriate requirements, including security, then it’s something we’d like to trial and implement,” she said.
“Just doing the same old thing year after year after year doesn’t make Australia a more productive, innovative, creative and prosperous country.
“So we are embracing new ideas not for the sake of it but in order to grow our economy, to make it easier to do business in Australia, to create more jobs.”
Ms Bishop said the cloud passport would be “grounded in absolute security”.
“Australia prides itself on having one of the most secure passports in the world but by embracing and harnessing new technologies we might be able to do better,” she said.
Tens of thousands of Australian passports were reportedly registered as lost or stolen last financial year.
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