Wannabe councillor on incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s ticket for Melbourne City elections sorry for driving offences

A wannabe Melbourne councillor amassed more than $38000 in fines for hundreds of driving offences including driving unregistered on toll roads, speeding, ignoring red lights and not paying for parking.

Jannine Pattison, who is running for Melbourne City Council on incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece's ticket, has racked up more than $38000 in unpaid fines. Picture: Supplied

A wannabe councillor on incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s ticket for Melbourne City elections has apologised after amassing more than $38000 in fines for hundreds of driving offences.

Jannine Pattison, who is fourth on the team Reece ticket, committed more than 400 offences between 2005 and 2016, court documents reveal.

Most of the fines the Southbank resident accumulated were for driving unregistered on toll roads, which Ms Pattinson said “got away” from her.

She was also pinged for speeding, ignoring red lights and not paying for parking.

“Like many people, I have made mistakes in my life,” Ms Pattinson said.

Jannine Pattison, fourth on Nick Reece's election ticket, has amassed more than $38000 in unpaid driving fines. Picture: Supplied

“My work at the time required me to drive all over Melbourne — it is something that got away from me.

“I am sorry and I deeply regret it.”

In 2016, Ms Pattinson entered into an agreement to repay $100 a month, leaving her with more than $20000 in fines she has yet to repay while standing for election this month.

“I have been on a payment plan since 2016, and I continue to meet my commitments under this plan,” she said.

News of Ms Pattinson’s extensive history of driving fines comes as candidates scramble for the final remaining votes in this year’s election, with ballots due to be submitted by October 25.

On Monday Mr Reece, who took over from former Lord Mayor Sally Capp in June having served as her deputy, said a council under his continued management would be “financially disciplined”.

“The council I run will be financially disciplined so we can continue to deliver the services and projects that benefit Melbourne’s residents, traders, and businesses,” he said.

Mr Reece is widely considered one of the frontrunners in the lord mayoral election alongside Arron Wood, himself a former Deputy Mayor, and surprise candidate Anthony ‘Kouta’ Koutofides.

Independent Jamal Hakim and Greens candidate Roxane Ingleton are also considered possible outsiders for the top job once preferences have been allocated.

Ms Pattinson’s position at fourth on the incumbent lord mayor’s ticket means it is unlikely she will become a councillor unless the Reece campaign massively outperforms expectations.

Ms Pattinson has lived in the City of Melbourne for 18 years and is deputy president of residents’ advocacy group Southbank3006.

According to the Team Reece website, one of her key achievements is to have “spearheaded local road safety improvements” during her time as a community organiser.

Originally published as Wannabe councillor on incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s ticket for Melbourne City elections sorry for driving offences