Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service volunteers will not seek "authorised person" status while assisting with WYD in order to avoid "negative interactions with people". The Sydney Morning Herald reports the controversial powers could also be subject to a legal challenge.
The laws empower the police, Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service personnel to stop people from causing an annoyance or inconvenience to World Youth Day participants and to order people to remove items of clothing for searches.
The Government says they are the same as laws governing sporting venues but civil libertarians and lawyers' groups say they could be unconstitutional.
The director-general of the State Emergency Service, Brigadier Philip McNamara, said he was concerned as soon as he saw the new regulations.
"Rather than put our volunteers in a situation where they might have a negative interaction with people at World Youth Day, we wanted it to be a positive experience," he said.
None of the 120 State Emergency Service representatives volunteering during the festival would be seeking "authorised person" status, he said. Instead, they will simply help police with traffic control and bag inspections.
The 230 Rural Fire Service members on duty would also not seek authorised person status, its commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said.
Rail OK or not for WYD
Meanwhile, in another SMH report, NSW Transport Minister John Watkins says CityRail will be able to handle World Youth Day's Sydney crowds, despite reports of staff shortages.
More than 5,000 shifts have yet to be filled by CityRail workers and volunteers during the event, which runs from July 15 to 20, news.com.au reported on Thursday.
The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has called for the World Youth Day week to be fare free to take the pressure off rail workers.
RTBU secretary Nick Lewocki said the extra travellers and lack of staff would jeopardise public safety.
"The government needs to stop messing around and consider the impact World Youth Day will have on our city's rail network," Mr Lewocki said in a statement.
"It will be absolute hell unless something is done to ease the pressure."
However, Mr Watkins ruled out free travel during World Youth Day, saying RailCorp was prepared for the extra commuters.
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