CAMERA THREAT TO PRIVACY

Injecting Room Under Surveillance

THE Privacy Commission is investigating a surveillance video camera
mounted by a Kings Cross businessman and aimed at Australias first legal
heroin injecting room.

Andrew Strauss, owner of Blinky's Photos in Darlinghurst Rd. has his
video camera pointed at the entrance to the Uniting Church's injecting
room next door.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday learned the Uniting Church had asked Mr
Strauss to remove the camera or point it away from their door, and is
considering legal action to have it removed amid concerns clients could
be "intimidated" from entering.

Revelations about the camera coincide with a decision by the Kings Cross
Chamber of Commerce to end a bitter legal challenge to the injecting
rooms location.

NSW Privacy Commissioner Chris Puplick saw the camera in a recent visit
to the injecting room. Sources said Mr Puplick, now overseas, was very
concerned about its position.

Complaints have also been made to South Sydney Council.

The use of the camera is not against the law but the location and
positioning may be illegal.

Mr Strauss, who has been in business for more than 20 years, is
overseas.

His actions were defended by Kings Cross Chamber of Commerce president
Paul Haeg.

"He is trying to have his own security. It's not new for people to try
and control crime," Mr Haeg said yesterday.

Mr Haeg said Mr Strauss was one of many businesses to have had a drop in
trade since the injecting room opened in May and was on a
"stress-related holiday".

He said the legal challenge had been dropped due to cost and reiterated
the chamber's position that the centre should be located closer to a
hospital.

The injecting service has registered 303 users and over-seen more than
500 hits.