Resolution of police pay dispute: Victoria to recoup lost traffic fine revenue
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The Victorian government lost at least $90m in revenue from speed cameras in just three months during the peak of the bitter pay war with police.
New figures have revealed how damaging the rolling industrial action by the state's police union was as officers warned motorists of where cameras were and refused to process traffic fines when new pay deal negotiations turned sour.
From September police refused to process fines unless there was evidence of serious reckless behaviour.
New data covering the peak of police industrial action, between October and December last year, shows 219,000 fewer fines were issued over the period when compared to the previous year.
That equated to a $90m drop in fine revenue.
The hit to state coffers was on top of $23m in lost fine revenue from the July to September when 75,000 fewer fines were issued.
However, with the pay deal now done and dusted Victoria Police will begin chasing down infringements where there was serious reckless behaviour.
This includes, for example, speeding 20km/h over the limit, and some of the lost revenue will be recouped.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines told the Herald Sun that 'infringements during protected industrial action are being pursued'.
'Drivers who were engaging in serious reckless behaviour were still held to account by Victoria Police as part of their ongoing road policing,' he said.
'There is no excuse for bad behaviour on our roads – a moment doing the wrong thing can have devastating consequences.'
Police manage the issuing of penalty infringement notices while the Department of Justice and Community Safety manages the road safety camera network, but as part of the industrial action they refused to process tickets unless there was serious reckless behaviour.
The industrial action resulted in a vote of no-confidence in former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, which was then followed by his resignation earlier this year. The Police Association of Victoria Police have been contacted for comment.
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