Release: Greedy Gladys plans to rob working class Aussies of $200m

Release: Greedy Gladys plans to rob working class Aussies of $200m

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today condemned the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for considering installing point to point speed cameras and removing speed camera signs, policies which prioritise money above safety.

“NSW authorities are taking the wrong variable out of the speed camera equation. Roads with speed camera signs, but no real cameras would slow drivers without bringing in revenue. Cameras without signs would bring in revenue, but fail to slow traffic. Commuters would only realize their mistake days after their first offense.”

“Taxpayers should question political motives before allowing regulators to institute or alter a law,” says ATA Communications Manager, Emilie Dye. “The NSW government has robbed taxpayers of $1.12 billion through fines since 2012. Greedy Gladys expects this initiative to bring in another $200 million a year for the NSW government.”

“The taxman already takes large fractions of hard-working Australians’ income. Traffic fines are one of the most regressive taxes. A $300 fine irritates a wealthy person, but to a poor person that could be a weeks’ rent or more.”

“Adding point to point speed cameras and taking away signs disproportionately impacts working class Australians who can’t afford fancy inner city apartments with short commutes. Urban elites want working class Aussies to pay for their spending habits. By setting speed limits too low and installing speed cameras, the government can neatly tie up budget loose ends.”

“Slower does not mean safer. Germany, notorious for its speed recommendations as opposed to speed limits, has substantially fewer road deaths than Australia with only 3.85 deaths per 100,000 people and .41 deaths per 100 million kilometers traveled. NSW has 4.94 deaths per 100,000 people and .47 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.”

“By removing speed camera signs, NSW politicians are endangering drivers for a big payday.”