Report under Section 49(1) of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 for the 6 months ending December 2008

The Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) ('the Act') began operation on 1 August 2008 and repealed the Listening Devices Act 1984 (NSW). The Act allows for the use of surveillance devices to investigate crime and to enable evidence to be obtained of the commission of such crime or the identity or location of the offender(s). The Act covers the installation, use and maintenance of listening, optical, tracking, and data surveillance devices and restricts the communication and publication of private conversations, surveillance activities, and information obtained from their use. The Ombudsman is required by section 49(1) of the Act to report to the Minister at 6-monthly intervals on the result of inspections. The Minister is required by section 49(2) to lay the report or cause the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 15 days after receiving the report.