All these ID requirements were about 5 years in the making. During the industry consultation airlines, airports, issuing bodies and unions were all involved. The arguments made above were raised throughout the course but the Department was acting on recommendations from the Australian National Audit Office that found flaws in the existing processes. So I guess on here we can get it off our chests but like it or not, it is not going to revert in any way.
A summary of the audit
here shows in some way why things were tightened up.