The threat of mass surveillance may be most commonly associated with rapacious tech platforms and authoritarian regimes. But its spectre loomed closer to home when the Australian government sought, and failed, to acquire enhanced powers to deploy facial recognition technology.

The Identity-matching Services Bill and the Passports Amendment Bill - were first introduced in 2018 but lapsed with this year's election.  Sceptics saw plenty of reasons for concern in the proposed laws because they would have authorised facial recognition for "road safety activities", did not require warrants, and contained automated decision-making, ministerial discretion, and a risk of racial and religious profiling.