08 February 2011
Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — I congratulate you, Deputy Speaker, on your appointment to high office.
On two occasions last year I raised in the house by way of adjournment matters a problem which affected hundreds and possibly thousands of my constituents — that is, the operation of the traffic lights at the corner of Bungower Road and Nepean Highway in Mornington.
On the first occasion the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services ignored the issue in his response and explained to me how traffic cameras work. I did know how traffic cameras work, and I did not need the minister to explain it to me.
The issue was that motorists were being booked despite having entered the intersection while the light was green, and it affected not one or two but, as I said at the time, probably thousands of motorists. I raised the issue again on 28 July. On that occasion the minister declined to respond at all, despite having plenty of time between that adjournment debate and the Parliament being dissolved.
Subsequent questions on notice exposed the extent of the problem, with the detection of alleged offences up by some 800 per cent between February and March.
In recent weeks the events have had a sequel in court, with the magistrate who heard the first case reportedly inquiring in the body of the court how many similar cases were being defended. The magistrate did a bulk case and dismissed the whole lot.
This was yet another example of the late government’s determination to conceal facts, sweep evidence under the carpet and put — —
The DEPUTY SPEAKER — Order! The member’s time has expired.
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