Mobile Speed Cameras -- Cynical Revenue Raising...

How stupid does the New South Wales government think the citizens of this fine state are? I have nothing against reducing the road toll, I have nothing against the idea of people being required to drive at the speed limit or getting fined if the exceed it. However, the idea that the introduction of mobile speed cameras in NSW is anything other than a revenue raising drive to fill holes in the budget is an attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of NSW motorists.

Call me a cynic, but whenever the camera is set up to photograph you first and then notify you that your speed has been recorded is not a behavioural modification exercise in encouraging people to slow down, but rather it is a blatant exercise in raising revenue. So, when the NSW Minister of Transport gets up and says, "(But) certainly we'd be happy if not a single dollar, not a single cent were raised from digital mobile speed cameras," then you know he is telling fibs.

The reality is that the NSW government includes in its budget monies that it anticipates in collecting from speeding fines. To this end, the 2010/2011 budget papers estimate that there will be an increase of some AUD 137 million in fine revenue. The only real significant change in collection is the introduction of covert mobile speed cameras.

As I said, call me a cynic, but...

Stupid is as Stupid Does 3

It goes without saying that stupidity can happen anywhere and this is a case in point.

Marcus Einfeld (photo courtesy of Sahlan Hayes / SMH) in an attempt to lie his way out of an AUD 77 speeding ticket has exposed himself to up to 24 years in prison for trying to perjury and making a false declaration. He will not get that much time in prison but nevertheless he should probably do some prison time.

The culmination of three years worth of to and fro came down to two guilty pleas in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

What makes this case all the more interesting is that Einfeld is a former Federal Court judge of some 15 years standing and also a former Chairman of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. To suggest that he should of known better is probably an extreme understatement.

Originally, Einfeld had been indicted on 14 separate offences of which all but the two he pleaded guilty to were either tossed in a legal sense (based on technicalities) or withdrawn.

For a man who at 70 years of age and a distinguished career in the law the idea of lying one's way out of a 77 dollar fine is either the height of arrogance or stupidity or perhaps both. Nevertheless, this foolishness should ensure that rather than enjoying his retirement with family and friends he will have the opportunity to make some new friends in prison.

Stupid!