Civil libertarians are in favour of Queensland police being issued with lightweight spy-type cameras to patrol Brisbane during the G20 world leaders' summit.
Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman is usually concerned about privacy being eroded by police technology.
But when it comes to the November world leaders' summit, he is backing miniature cameras being issued to 70 frontline officers, who will wear them on their uniforms.
"It's good for police. It makes it difficult, if not impossible, for false complaints to be made against police. It's good for people arrested because it presents reliable evidence to the courts," he told Fairfax Radio on Friday.
"It saves a lot of time because pictures don't tell lies."
Superintendent Graham Coleman, who will be directing police during the November summit, says planners want to avoid a repeat of riots that marred the 2010 G20 summit in Toronto.
"We've had a look at events across the world of this nature, events such as what happened in Toronto in 2010, and what we wanted to do was provide our police with all of the resources they need," he said.
But Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers is disappointed more devices won't be issued.
"I'd ask the police service to be honest and upfront to Queenslanders: this is a cost issue. They are playing political games."
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the cameras would be redeployed to frontline police after the G20.
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