Robert Brandewie, a former US defence director, gave a talk in Australia about smartcards. Brandewie is a former director of the Defense Manpower Data Centre, which provides info services to US DoD's military personnel, employees and contractors. Under that role, he oversaw the implementation of 11 million smartcards. Australia is implementing smartcards that will tie their Medicare and other programs, at a cost of Aus$1B over two years, and Australian Minister for Human Services was being briefed by Brandewie. [via Computer World Australia]