From Crikey.com.au
VICTORIA?S RAMPANT SPEED CAMERAS
A well-connected lead-foot writes:
?Dear Crikey, if you want to look for a good story, try and get some information regarding the relationship between the Bracks Government and the private operator of the traffic cameras in Victoria, LMT Aust P/L.
Since the Bracks Government came to power and transformed itself into the world?s biggest sluggers of motorists for traffic offences, we have had only one report as to the performance of the traffic camera operation. That report was from the Auditor General in 2000 report regarding the performance of the operation, the fees paid to LMT and the bonuses paid to LMT.
Check it out here:
http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/old/mp2000/mp00just.htm#4a
Take a look at 4.25 which states:
?Since the commencement of the service agreement in November 1998, the overall performance of LMT Australia, as indicated by its ability to meet or exceed the standards set in the service agreement, has been good. From the commencement of the outsourcing arrangements to the date of preparation of this Report, LMT Australia has earned net bonuses of approximately $700,000 (bonuses of $1.18 million less $481 000 of penalty payments)."
How much has the Bracks Government paid to LMT in bonuses since Bracks came to power? I hear the score about $17 a ticket.
How are the bonuses paid to LMT? If the bonus is paid above a certain number of traffic camera tickets issued, is the operator paid a percentage of the fines, if so then would this be then considered a contingency payment?
One of the original Joint Venture partners of LMT - Lockheed Martin, was the biggest private camera vendor/operator in the US (80% of the market) before the division was sold to ACS last year.
LM contracts with some of the cities in the US are based on contingency fees. LM contracts give the final say on traffic signal timings and camera placements to LM.
I?d love to know how much the ALP receive in donations from LMT, Tenix, Lockheed Martin and their executives at the various ALP fund raising dinners? Quite a bit, I believe!
What advice did LMT give to the Bracks Government in relation to which sites were "suitable" for the installation of the new red light and speed cameras as many of the locations are more about raising revenue than safety?
Why has the Bracks Government chosen to the line the pockets of camera vendors and operators at the expense of the Victorian motorist? The Bracks Govt was elected on openness and transparency - yet after 2000 the details of the bonuses are now wrapped up in secrecy!
The lead-foot?
Linear Mode
