Cricket fans face unprecedented level of security

The tens of thousands of cricket fans expected for the opening day of the Fifth Ashes Test against England at the SCG will experience a level of security so far unknown in NSW

Cricket fans will experience a level of security so far unknown in NSW. Picture: Christian Gilles

Prepare to be facially recognised.

The tens of thousands of cricket fans expected for the opening day of the Fifth Ashes Test against England will experience a level of security so far unknown in NSW — and few of those fans will likely be aware of the precise moment that this new security measure even has them in its sights.

Unlike bag searches, body scanners or other traditional security tactics, facial recognition cameras are passive and non-intrusive. They will simply sweep the crowd from 800 different positions around the SCG, feeding a constant flow of images to a database of banned spectators and known persons of interest.

Additionally, the cameras keep an eye — well, 800 eyes — on the SCG’s many hallways, passages and public spaces in case any suspicious bags or containers are detected.

“This is the first time the cameras have been used at a major sporting event and the New Year’s Sydney test is the city’s biggest sporting event of the year,’’ an SCG Trust spokesman said yesterday.

Spectators who enjoy a human element to their security will also be catered for, with 200 security guards throughout the SCG along with members of the NSW Air Wing, officers from the counter-terrorism unit and sniffer dog teams. The heavily armed Tactical Operations Unit and specialist police trained to use 50 newly acquired M4 carbine machine guns will be on call for instant deployment.

The style of cricket played at the SCG has changed massively over the life of Sydney’s most celebrated sporting venue, and so has society. Only a few years ago many may have thought facial recognition devices were a step too far in terms of privacy invasion. Now, however, given the plain reality of risks facing large crowds of Australians, we can only hope that these extraordinary measures are sufficient to keep us safe.

But even the most advanced security has its technological limits. Every spectator at the SCG today and for the rest of the Fifth Test can also contribute to the overall security effort by remaining observant and by reporting any behaviour or activities that don’t quite seem in keeping with a day at the cricket.

If you see something, say something. And if you see any collection points for the McGrath Foundation during this tenth Pink Test, contribute something. Just because you’re on camera doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be generous.

Lift game behind the wheel

The Australian Medical Association’s deep frustration is deeply understandable. With a membership composed of people dedicated to saving lives, the AMA watched in horror last year as 392 died last year on our roads — the highest NSW road toll since 2010.

Last year saw 392 people die on NSW roads. Picture: Simon Bullard

In response, the AMA is now calling for even further regulation for motorists, including year-long bans for provisional drivers caught using mobile phones and strict anti-fatigue logbooks for professional drivers such as couriers and taxi drivers.

The trouble is, NSW already has a huge number of driving laws in place — yet they plainly did not stop our road toll from blowing out to a seven-year peak.

In the end, only drivers themselves can save their lives and the lives of others. Laws have their limits. What we need is a statewide attitude change.

Spotlight on visa fugitives

Imagine if the entire city of Maitland was completely populated by people with no legitimate reason to be in Australia. Imagine the same of the combined populations of Bathurst and Dubbo.

Needless to say, such a circumstance would present a worrying scenario for Australia’s security and immigration authorities. Yet exactly that situation already exists, with the difference being some 60,000 unknowns are scattered around Australia rather than being concentrated in any particular areas.

As The Daily Telegraph reveals, more than 60,000 individuals are living in hiding throughout our country. Three quarters of them are tourists who have remained here despite their visas expiring and 15 per cent are foreign students who refused to fly home when their visas timed out.

Some illegal migrants are evidently following long-term strategies by having families here and sitting tight until their children turn 10 and acquire citizenship.

The Department of Home Affairs admits there is very little it can do to track down or deport these immigration scofflaws. Over to you, employers. Are you doing enough to make sure none of your hires is a visa overstayer?