I would like to raise and support a proposal that Senator Nelson Murray previously raised in relation to the notification of passport renewals. It is a good proposal and a very good idea. As we know, all of our offices at certain times of the year are inundated with requests and frantic last minute attempts to try to get passports for people who need them for a holiday, family trip or even a family emergency. It causes a lot of stress and anxiety for families. It would actually be interesting to have a study on the financial implications of it for families who lose out on trips, accommodation and travel abroad. I welcome the reply that was given. It means that going forward, there will be an opt-in for a reminder. In this day and age, at times there is overkill with GDPR. Everyone would welcome a little reminder from the Passport Office to say that their passport is due to expire in six months.

What kind of world do we live in if that cannot be done for each passport holder? A reminder should be given. People will see the benefit in ten years when their passports are due to expire and they need to renew them. We will begin to be aware much sooner, though, with earlier notifications for people's whose passports are due to expire quite soon. A reminder would take a lot of stress and hassle out of people's lives. Everyone gets reminders for things such as tax and insurance renewals. This should be no different. If a message went out to people asking them if they would like a reminder for the short term, be it next year or so on, as opposed to waiting ten years, then that would be very worthwhile and positively received.