Press Release

Latest Linkage Grant Success: Combating ID Fraud

May 29, 2003 - A cross-disciplinary team of researchers from five universities have been awarded a $531,000 Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant to investigate identity fraud in collaboration with the AUSTRAC Proof of Identity Steering Committee. The grant continues SIRCA’s successful record in facilitating collaborative grants of national importance on behalf of its university members and in partnership with industry and government.

The project was showcased by the Minister for Education, Brendon Nelson, in Canberra today as part of his Linkage Grant Program announcement. Identity fraud is recognised as a serious and significant problem in Australia by Government and industry, with current estimates of losses ranging up to $4 billion per annum.

Led by SIRCA Research Director A/Professor Rodger Jamieson from UNSW’s Faculty of Commerce and Economics, the cross-disciplinary team aims to research identity fraud from an organisational and wider social perspective by investigating control, management and policy alternatives. Some of the outcomes are expected to include conceptual frameworks, effects and costing models of identity fraud, successful strategies for organisational management control, new techniques to improve prevention and detection, and comparative evaluations of social, legal and privacy implications.

Reflecting the scope and scale of this research program, the chief investigators on the grant include experts in the fields of Information Technology, Financial Management, Criminology and Law. The team will be supported by SIRCA’s world-class research facilities located in Sydney’s CBD and at the Australian Technology Park at Redfern. The team comprises:

A/Prof Rodger Jamieson, University of New South Wales (Project Leader)
Dr Suresh Cuganesan, Macquarie Graduate School of Management (Project Manager)
A/Prof Peter Luckett, University of New South Wales
Prof Kim Langfield-Smith, Monash University
A/Prof Warwick Sarre, University of South Australia
Dr Henry Pontell, University of California, Irvine

Project leader, Rodger Jamieson is excited about the prospects for this research given the depth of research talent and the commitment of the industry partners.

“We have some of the best thinkers in their areas of expertise in the country and a leading US Identity Fraud specialist involved in this project," said Associate Professor Jamieson. "The funding will also support 4 full-time PhD students dedicated to the project, and utilising SIRCA’s research infrastructure. We are all looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

The SIRCA coordinated research program will provide the missing multi-disciplinary perspective that will inform management and policy decisions of national significance. SIRCA CEO, Dr Michael Briers, also believes the project provides a unique opportunity for Australia to lead the world in this research domain.

“This grant success proves once again the advantages of SIRCA’s research network model in bringing together the best academic talent and committed private and public sector thought leaders on issues of national significance," said Dr Briers. "The project will position Australia as a leader in identity fraud research and importantly deliver research outcomes that benefit the wider community.”

The project will receive ARC funding of $531,000 over three years in addition to industry and university contributions.

For further information on this project contact:

A/Prof Rodger Jamieson
(61 2) 9385 4414/5320, r.jamieson@unsw.edu.au

Dr Suresh Cuganesan
(61 2) 9236 9128, suresh@sirca.org.au

For further information, please visit the SAFE Website.

About SIRCA
SIRCA is a unique financial services research organisation established by twenty-five collaborating Universities to foster research excellence and independence in partnership with industry and government.

For further information, please contact:
Marketing Manager, SIRCA Limited
(612) 9231 5888, media@sirca.org.au