A controversial decision by the NSW Administrative Decisions
Tribunal (ADT) on 3 May has raised concerns about
the CCTV surveillance of our communities. Shoalhaven City Council
has turned off its CCTV cameras in the Nowra CBD as the Tribunal
ruled the cameras were in breach of the Privacy and Personal
Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act).
While the decision has received a lot of attention it is
unlikely that the decision will effect private sector
organisations.
Politicians from both sides of politics have reacted angrily to
the decision with NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell saying "CCTV
is a vital tool in the fight against crime and I am determined to
ensure they remain so" and has asked the NSW Attorney General
to "seek urgent advice on the implications and whether
legislative amendments are required to validate the continued use
of CCTV".
