"Taxi drivers and their passengers will enjoy new standards of safety as the new system rolls out around Brisbane, then 11 regional centres," said Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas.

At a launch of the security camera project, the Minister demonstrated the advantages of the new technology, and announced that VerifEye had won the contract through a competitive tender. "We want drivers to feel more secure and we want passengers to feel safer knowing their taxi is under surveillance," Mr Lucas said.

"The cameras will be fitted in 2700 taxis in centres where the population is greater than 40,000: Brisbane, Redcliffe, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. They will later be fitted in other parts of the state on a case by case basis. The fit-out and maintenance of the cameras, and the training required to operate them, will create job opportunities and inject more than $3.6 million into local economies over the next five years," Mr Lucas said.

"Local contractors will install the cameras. $1.3 million will be spent on training and installation and that means job security for local people," Mr Lucas said.

Minister Lucas thanked the taxi industry and other key stakeholders for working with the Queensland Government on the initiative, and said he was looking forward to working with them again on the roll-out.  He said the process of awarding the contract to VerifEye Aust. Pty Ltd was overseen by an independent probity auditor from respected firm, BDO Kendalls and a joint industry/government evaluation team.

"This is about getting the best product possible to protect taxi drivers and their passengers. We’re getting the best technology for taxpayers’ money. The new security cameras will be tamper-proof and secure. All cameras will be fitted with infra-red lighting so images can be taken day or night. A camera will be fitted above the rear vision mirror and there will be an external camera above the driver’s door. Images will be captured continuously.

"Images can only be downloaded by persons authorised by the Transport Department or the police, and only if there is an incident," Mr Lucas said