This was emailed by a reader:
in response to your article today on filming neighbours, I think you’ll find your answer in the Surveillance Devices Act 1999-Section 7. Penalty is level 7 inprisonment and or fines…
Surveillance Devices Act 1999 – SECT 7
Regulation of installation, use and maintenance of optical surveillance devices
7. Regulation of installation, use and maintenance of optical surveillance
devices
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not knowingly install, use or
maintain an optical surveillance device to record visually or observe a
private activity to which the person is not a party, without the express or
implied consent of each party to the activity.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person, level 7 imprisonment (2 years
maximum) or a level 7 fine (240 penalty units maximum) or both;
In the case of a body corporate, 1200 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to-
(a) the installation, use or maintenance of an optical surveillance device
in accordance with a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or
(b) the installation, use or maintenance of an optical surveillance device
in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or
(c) the installation, use or maintenance of an optical surveillance device
by a law enforcement officer in the performance of his or her duty on
premises if-
(i) an occupier of the premises authorises that installation, use or
maintenance; and
(ii) the installation, use or maintenance is reasonably necessary for the
protection of any person’s lawful interests.