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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/dec/11/bill-shorten-filmed-texting-while-driving-in-melbourne
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Bill Shorten filmed texting while driving in Melbourne | Bill Shorten filmed texting while driving in Melbourne |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Bill Shorten has apologised after been filmed texting while driving. | |
Video obtained by News Corp papers shows the Labor leader texting while driving along busy a Melbourne road, Kings Way. | |
Texting while driving is an offence that carries a fine of up to $443 and the loss of four demerit points in Victoria. | Texting while driving is an offence that carries a fine of up to $443 and the loss of four demerit points in Victoria. |
Related: Bill Shorten crashes into parked cars in Melbourne after 'spilling coffee' | Related: Bill Shorten crashes into parked cars in Melbourne after 'spilling coffee' |
Shorten has acknowledged the incident, and vowed to pay the fine if approached by Victorian police. He said it had happened on a Sunday in August after he had dropped his children off at music practice. | |
“Like most drivers, I always try to do the right thing,” Shorten said in a statement. “But there’s no doubt that using your phone while driving is the wrong thing to do – there’s no excuse for it. | |
“I shouldn’t have done it and won’t do it again.” | “I shouldn’t have done it and won’t do it again.” |
Daniel Andrews, the Labor premier of Victoria, told ABC TV: “He did the wrong thing and he’s committed to not do it again. I don’t think you can ask much more than that.” | |
Christopher Pyne, the industry minister, told Nine Network that Shorten should keep “both hands on the wheel at all times and he won’t get in trouble”. | |
The video compounds a bad few weeks for the opposition leader, who last month admitted to sideswiping two cars in Carlton after dropping coffee in his lap while driving his car. | The video compounds a bad few weeks for the opposition leader, who last month admitted to sideswiping two cars in Carlton after dropping coffee in his lap while driving his car. |
Shorten’s ratings as preferred prime minister are at an all-time low in this week’s Newspoll, slumping to just 14% to Malcolm Turnbull’s 60%. That 14% figure is matched only by Simon Crean, tying them for least popular Labor leader since Newspoll began. | Shorten’s ratings as preferred prime minister are at an all-time low in this week’s Newspoll, slumping to just 14% to Malcolm Turnbull’s 60%. That 14% figure is matched only by Simon Crean, tying them for least popular Labor leader since Newspoll began. |