[Greens-Media] Secret speed camera vans set to fail on safety and privacy

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
5th June 2007


Secret speed camera vans set to fail on safety and privacy

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW
government not to introduce secret speed camera vans because of the
privacy risks they pose and develop a range of measures to promote
safety for all road users. 

“If secret speed camera vans were introduced the NSW government would
use them as revenue raising measures, disregard privacy concerns and
road safety would lose out,” Ms Rhiannon said. 

“This Iemma government can’t be trusted to introduce this measure
with proper privacy safeguards. 

“The government has gutted the state’s privacy watchdog, Privacy
NSW, and has sat on major law reform reports on privacy and surveillance
for over two years. 
 
“Speeding on our roads is best dealt with by a combination of driver
education, reducing the speed at which vehicles can travel and visible
cameras and police vehicles.

“Secret speed cameras would risk information about people’s
movements being misused and do little to combat dangerous driving.
Secret cameras are the thin edge of the wedge of a ‘Big Brother’
government. 

 “Minister Eric Roozendaal should rule out using secret speed camera
vans in NSW, and commit to put money into the road safety program
outlined in the State Plan. 

“Last year red light cameras were heralded as a key feature of the
government’s road safety campaign but funding for red light cameras
has been frozen for at least three years. 

“The government should immediately invest in dual function speed and
red light cameras and drop the secret camera van plans,” Ms Rhiannon
said.


Contact: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon-Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Ph: (02) 9230 3551 
Fax: (02) 9230 3550
susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
www.leerhiannon.org.au