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1. What was proposed (co-sponsored)Peter CainLiberal · OppositionChiaka BarryLiberal · Opposition
   Read the original wording (330 words)

   That this Assembly: (1) notes that: (a) camera and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled smart glasses and other wearable devices capable of discreetly recording or livestreaming audio, images and video are becoming increasingly accessible; (b) the eSafety Commissioner has identified risks including covert recording, image-based abuse and cyber abuse, while smart glasses can also provide important disability, accessibility and assistive-technology benefits; (c) governments across Australia are responding to these emerging risks, including: (i) the Commonwealth seeking advice on their use in Australian Public Service workplaces; (ii) Western Australia prohibiting smart glasses in public schools from 12 October 2026, subject to medical, accessibility, assistive-technology and educational exemptions; (iii) Victoria extending student personal-device restrictions to wearable technology from 28 January 2027; (iv) South Australia reviewing the adequacy of its laws and raising nationally consistent regulation; and (v) local governments introducing or considering restrictions in sensitive facilities including pools, change rooms, libraries, childcare and community facilities; (d) the Listening Devices Act 1992, while amended since its enactment, has an underlying framework that predates smartphones, social media, livestreaming, contemporary wearable cameras and AI, and unlike legislation in a number of other Australian jurisdictions, does not provide a comprehensive framework regulating optical surveillance devices; and (e) section 12 of the Human Rights Act 2004 protects against unlawful or arbitrary interference with privacy; (2) further notes that any ACT response should: (a) be proportionate and focused on inappropriate conduct and environments presenting heightened privacy, safety or security risks, rather than imposing an indiscriminate prohibition on wearable technology; and (b) protect legitimate disability, accessibility, medical, assistive-technology and educational uses; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) prohibit the use of camera and AI-enabled smart glasses and other wearable recording devices in ACT Government workplaces and sensitive facilities, including public schools, swimming pools, change rooms, early childhood settings and Access Canberra service centres, but with exceptions for legitimate disability, accessibility, medical, assistive- technology and educational uses; and (b) report to the Assembly by the first sitting week in 2027. Debate ensued.

2. What the Assembly decidedAgreed

   Decided on the voices: no individual votes were recorded, so this doesn’t show that every MLA agreed.