The legislation is expected to be fiercely debated in the senate as a result of privacy fears surrounding the access card and concerns it will be used as a national ID card.

Campbell made it clear the federal government's A$1.1 billion (US$855 billion) access card will not be an "Australia Card'.

He said the card will be subject to strict controls to avoid security and privacy breaches.

Once legislation goes through parliament, Campbell expects registration for the smartcard to commence in 2008 with the entire project up and running by 2010.