Jonathan O’Dea, Member for Davidson, proposed a notice of motion in NSW Parliament this week calling for greater and urgent consideration to be given to the regulation of drones in NSW and for their sensible operation in an appropriate way.
Mr O’Dea also delivered a Private Member’s Statement to the Parliament highlighting the ever increasing use of drones by both industry and private individuals. While generally positive in impact, this increased usage has been accompanied by various drone accidents & incidents as well as privacy complaints about the unregulated use of drones in private places.
“Drones have become cheaper, lighter, easier to handle, quieter and more able to carry sensitive equipment. Subsequently they are providing governments, companies and individuals with a more cost-effective way to gather information and observe individuals, sometimes without their knowledge or consent,” Mr O’Dea said
Currently the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) licences and certifies only some commercial drone operators, but does not register recreational drones. CASA provides safety rules for recreational drone flyers but does not certify them or regulate privacy and surveillance concerns.
“The NSW Parliament needs to revise the relevant laws to reflect the expanding use of this increasingly sophisticated and rapidly expanding technology, and ensure people’s rights are protected,” Mr O’Dea said.
“It is time to seriously consider making legislative amendments to accommodate these protections, particularly through the NSW Surveillance Devices Act,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
Mr O’Dea’s speech to the NSW Parliament can be accessed by clicking on the following link, https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/permalink?id=HANSARD-1323879322-99600
