VIC:Vic drivers may avoid speed fines

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2011
VIC:Vic drivers may avoid speed fines

MELBOURNE, Aug 26 AAP - Victorian drivers caught running red lights or speeding may
soon be able to escape the penalty, after the police union flagged a ramp-up of industrial
action.

The Police Association on Friday said it will lodge an application with Fair Work Australia
to toughen its work bans, which were first introduced in June as part of enterprise bargaining
negotiations.

Under the new measures all forms of penalty notices including those generated by the
Traffic Camera Office will be banned.

There will also be a ban on unpaid overtime, executing money warrants in most circumstances,
and officers performing many duties alone.

Police are also planning a march to Parliament House to indicate their anger at the
government's refusal to negotiate a higher wage rise.

Association secretary Greg Davies said people who escaped speeding and red light tickets
as part of the action would likely not have them reinstated once the bans end.

"As far as our members are concerned, that fine is dead forever," Mr Davies said.

"If the government and the private companies that run the speed cameras can find another
way, it is up to them, but they won't be processed by our members."

Mr Davies said despite that stance, it would not be a free for all for drivers who
flout road rules.

"If they are exceeding the speed limit by a large margin, they would be taken to court
by way of a summons procedure," he said.

Such a move could block up the courts with traffic violations normally dealt with by a fine.

The bans will only be introduced if a postal ballot of union members endorses them,
expected to occur within weeks.

Mr Davies said his members would not be going on strike, and the government was taking
advantage of that.

The state government has refused to increase its offer of a 2.5 per cent annual pay
rise, which police claim will see their salaries go backwards once inflation is taken
into account.

The association has been critical because it says that more than nine months after
wages talks could begin the state government is yet to negotiate on pay.

Mr Davies said the government was being hypocritical, after an election in which law
and order issues were prominent.

"Promises (were) made all over the place and thrown around like confetti and none of
them are being picked up," he said.

AAP xlc/mn/it

KEYWORD: POLICE

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