Photography on Trains
| About this Item |
Subjects | Railways; Photography; Security and Intelligence |
Speakers | Tingle The Hon John; Costa The Hon Michael |
Business | Questions Without Notice |
Commentary | Answered on 24 February 2004 by Michael Costa |
Page: 4731
The Hon. JOHN TINGLE: My question is directed to the Minister for Transport Services. Will the Minister advise the House whether it is a punishable offence to take a photograph on a New South Wales train? If it is, what is the penalty? If not, will the Minister call for a report on an incident that occurred at about 6.00 p.m. last Saturday, 8 November, on a train from Canterbury via Bankstown to Liverpool in which transit officers reportedly threatened a passenger with a fine of $400 when he attempted to photograph graffiti on the window of a carriage door? Can the Minister shed any light on how such an incident might have occurred?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: My understanding, and I will confirm it, is that it is not an offence to take a photograph on a train. However, in light of the current security environment, caution is exercised with regard to the photographing of all sorts of infrastructure.
[Interruption]
I remind members opposite of the Federal Government's anti-terrorism campaign. Everyone remembers the fridge magnets and postcards. That campaign encouraged us to be cautious about people taking photographs of infrastructure. Honourable members opposite should not lead with their chins on these issues. I am not aware of the specific incident, but I am happy to obtain advice in relation to it. In my discussions with groups about graffiti on trains I have been told that many people involved in vandalism take photographs of their so-called artwork, for want of a better description. It indicates a connection to the graffiti. I do not know the details of the incident referred to by the honourable member, but I will obtain advice.