Victorian police officers are helping motorists avoid speeding fines as part of industrial action to secure higher wages
By Ruza Zivkusic | June 24, 2011
Victorian police officers are hitting government where it hurts as they fight to secure higher wages under a new agreement.
Police are using flash lights to warn motorists as they approach speed cameras, potentially robbing the state’s government of revenue.
Motorists were this morning warned of speed traps at five locations on the Princes Freeway, West Gate Freeway and Eastlink between 7.30am and 8.30am.
The move is part of the police force’s push for a 4.5 percent annual pay rise, which the government has rejected in favour of a 2.5 percent rise.
“Members from a broad cross-section of the state have reported that scores of motorists are slowing down in response to police warnings as they approach normally lucrative speed and red light cameras,” Police Federation of Australia CEO Greg Davies says.
“Some members are being told by camera operators that capture rates by some cameras have declined substantially; some by as much as 90 percent as a result of the industrial action.”
Officers began industrial action earlier this month, and Davies says his members have reported steady feedback that the warnings have been effective.
He says the Victorian Government makes more than $200 million a year from speed cameras.