Cameras in cops’ pay push

The locations of speed cameras in the Great Southern could be revealed to the public as police continue their push for better pay.

In recent days, the WA Police Union has stepped up its campaign for a pay rise, with new industrial action measures including conducting “welfare checks” on speed camera operators after rejecting the Government’s $1000 a year pay rise for all public servants.

The action includes parking their cars next to the speed cameras and activating their lights, designed to hurt the State Government in the “hip pocket”.

This action was evident in Albany last Thursday morning when a speed camera on Rufus Street was accompanied by a parked police car with flashing lights in a 50km/h zone.

Last year, Great Southern police traffic Sergeant Andrew Norton said he would support the locations of the region’s speed camera being made public, like in the metropolitan area, and the cameras’ focus being on 110km/h zones.

The camera was twice spotted in 50km/h and 60km/h speed zones last week after the launch of the new raft of industrial action.

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said the new phase of the campaign would not pose any safety risk to the community and the action would hit the State Government where it hurt — its hip pocket.

“If people drive dangerously or commit other more serious offences, they will be dealt with in the normal manner by arrest or summons,” he said. “So we are only looking at minor traffic or liquor offences where people will be given a free kick.

“Millions of dollars will be lost in revenue for this State Government if they do not intervene and honour the original agreement that was on the table.”