Victoria Police industrial action saved drivers almost $23m in speeding fines

The Victoria Police strike last year resulted in a big drop in speeding fines being issued – here is the multi-million dollar hit it handed the Allan government.

Revenue from speed camera fines slumped by more than 25 per cent because of Victoria Police industrial action last year, latest figures show.

Almost 75,000 fewer fines were issued from July to September, compared to the three months before.

The drop meant about $23m in potential lost revenue for the state’s coffers.

Fewer tickets were issued for speeding, running red lights, improper mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts.

Victoria Police confirmed that the protected industrial action impacted the processing of camera infringements for the September quarter.

“This action began on 20 September 2024. We are not aware of any changes to the operation of mobile road safety cameras during the September quarter,’’ a spokesperson said.

Almost 75,000 fewer fines were issued from July to September compared to the three months before. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police manage the issuing of penalty infringement notices while the Department of Justice and Community Safety manages the road safety camera network.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said police were still out 24/7 cracking down on dangerous drivers.

“During protected industrial action, drivers who were engaging in serious reckless behaviour were still held to account by Victoria Police as part of their ongoing road policing.’’

A camera at the intersection of Rosanna Rd and Darebin St in Heidelberg produced the state’s most fines with 4548 infringements issued – an average of almost 49 a day for speeding and red-light offences.

The next busiest locations were the intersection of Canning St and Bellavista Drive in Avondale Heights (3995 infringements) and the Warrigal Rd and Batesford Rd junction (3213) in Chadstone.

Revenue from speed camera fines slumped by more than 25 per cent because of Victoria police industrial action last year. Picture: Supplied

The number of fixed cameras infringements fell by 24 per cent for the quarter while mobile cameras fines were down 20 per cent.

The most lucrative mobile camera location was in Park St, Parkville.

More than 5500 motorists were pinged for touching their phone or tablet while driving, and another 1404 were detected with a portable device resting on their body, clothes or lap.

The black spot for mobile phone and seatbelt detection was on Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, between Waterdale and Plenty Rds, with 1036 infringements.

The police pay dispute ran for almost six months with staff receiving at least an 18 per cent pay rise over four years, and frontline officers winning an 20 per cent rise.

The industrial action resulted in a vote of no-confidence in former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, which was then followed by his resignation.

Originally published as Victoria Police industrial action saved drivers almost $23m in speeding fines