Personal drivers of NSW Ministers have copped almost $16,000 in fines
The personal drivers of NSW ministers have copped thousands in fines this year for violations, including running red lights, going through stop signs and speeding in a school zone.
NSW
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Exclusive: The personal drivers of NSW ministers have copped almost $16,000 this year for running red lights, going through stop signs and speeding in a school zone.
Drivers were also caught disobeying parking signs, stopping in loading and taxi zones and double parking, state government documents have revealed.
A staffer in Premier Chris Minns’ office also received a fine after being caught on camera speeding under 10km/h.
As the camera detected the vehicle as a corporate car, the initial fine of $725 was subsequently reduced to that of what an average motorist would pay when the individual driver was identified.
The same applied to all the corporate fines that were issued.
The documents - which capture fines issued in the year to October 11 this year - show the premier’s ministerial drivers copped a $136 fine for “park continuously for longer than indicated” and another $227 infringement for stopping in a taxi zone.
The office has contested the taxi fine, claiming they stopped there as a result of “police direction” with the infringement “in the process of being removed”, the documents reveal.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s driver copped an initial $2720 corporate fine and loss of demerits after being detected on camera going through a red light.
Attorney-General Michael Daley’s driver also went through a red light, and had to pay a similar fine.
Health Minister Ryan Park’s driver received an initial $1,125 corporate fine after speeding less than 10km/h in a school zone, while Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty’s driver was also done speeding, receiving a $1670 corporate fine.
Also caught speeding was the personal driver of Upper House president Ben Franklin, who copped a $725 fine.
The personal drivers of NSW Sport Minister Steve Kamper and Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig were each fined $320 for disobeying stop signs.
Gaming and Racing Minister Steve Kamper’s driver copped a $215 fine for stopping in a loading zone.
Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson’s personal driver was fine $129 for failing to pay parking or obeying instructions on a sign.
The Premier’s Department “pool drivers” copped three separate fines, including an initial $257 infringement for running a red light, an initial $1580 fine for speeding over 10km/h and a $129 parking infringement.
Under the NSW government motor vehicle policy, the actual drivers rather than taxpayers is required to pay the fine.
Penalty Notices for camera detected offences issued to companies are five times the amount applicable to an individual.
Once the driver responsible is named, a notice is issued to the driver and the amount will be reduced to the applicable individual amount.
The documents did not indicate which ministerial drivers were chaperoning a minister at the time of the offence.
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