South Australian plans to restrict the publication of material obtained through covert surveillance will leave the public less informed and set a dangerous precedent for other states, opponents have warned.
The proposed legislative changes target audio or visual recordings of individuals or private property obtained without expressed or implied consent, as well as the use of tracking and data surveillance devices.
The Labor government has introduced legislation to the upper house to make it a criminal offence to publish such material without an order from a judge that it is in the public interest.
Individuals convicted of breaching the provision may face a maximum three-year prison sentence, while corporate entities face fines up to $75,000.
A previous bill introduced last year stalled when the upper house voted to refer it to a review committee.
The Liberal opposition and the Greens, animal rights groups, media organisations and the state's peak legal association have criticised the new bill.
RSPCA SA CEO Tim Vasudeva says welfare groups will struggle to foot legal bills required to secure court approval.
"We're a charity, and so is every other animal welfare group," he told AAP on Wednesday.
"Where are we going to get the money to keep a lawyer on tap?"
Law Society president-elect Rocco Perrotta said the bill could have serious implications for press freedom, while Liberal MLC Stephen Wade told parliament that the Liberals had "grave concerns" about the legislation.
Greens MLC Tammy Franks said the proposed changes would add to a lack of government transparency.
Labor has signalled it will consult with opponents of the bill but Minister Gail Gago said last month it was a "disgrace" that vested interests had held up the proposed reforms.
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