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Bill Shorten contacts Victoria police over texting and driving incident Bill Shorten will be fined by Victoria police over texting and driving incident
(about 3 hours later)
Bill Shorten has contacted Victoria police after being filmed texting and driving. Bill Shorten will be fined and will lose points from his licence after being filmed texting while driving his car.
Texting while operating a vehicle is an offence that carries a penalty of a $443 fine and four demerit points in Victoria. Police in Victoria called Shorten on Friday afternoon to inform him that he will be fined $455 for the infringement, and will lose four points from his licence.
Earlier in the day, Shorten contacted police to let them know about the infringement, which emerged after News Ltd publications posted the video of him texting and driving online.
A spokesman for Shorten told Guardian Australia that the opposition leader has made a donation worth more than his fine of $455 to the Victorian branch of Road Trauma Support Services.
Related: Bill Shorten filmed texting while driving in MelbourneRelated: Bill Shorten filmed texting while driving in Melbourne
The opposition leader has apologised for the incident, which happened in August after he dropped his children off at music practice.The opposition leader has apologised for the incident, which happened in August after he dropped his children off at music practice.
“I made a mistake. I take the matter seriously. It was wrong to do and there is no good excuse so I won’t offer one. It’s wrong and I have apologised,” he told reporters on Friday.“I made a mistake. I take the matter seriously. It was wrong to do and there is no good excuse so I won’t offer one. It’s wrong and I have apologised,” he told reporters on Friday.
When asked if he has volunteered to pay the fine, the opposition leader answered: “I’ve already contacted the police this morning myself”.When asked if he has volunteered to pay the fine, the opposition leader answered: “I’ve already contacted the police this morning myself”.
“No one is above the law,” the Labor leader said.“No one is above the law,” the Labor leader said.
It is now up to police whether to pursue the matter.
We have contacted Mr Shorten's office in relation to the alleged use of a mobile while driving. The matter will be referred to local police.
The incident became public after someone in a neighbouring car filmed Shorten texting and driving. The video was published on News Ltd websites on Thursday night.The incident became public after someone in a neighbouring car filmed Shorten texting and driving. The video was published on News Ltd websites on Thursday night.
Politicians from both sides of the chamber were downplaying the event on Friday.Politicians from both sides of the chamber were downplaying the event on Friday.
The Labor premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, told ABC television: “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.”The Labor premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, told ABC television: “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.”
The industry minister, Christopher Pyne, told Channel Nine that Shorten should keep “both hands on the wheel at all times and he won’t get in trouble”.The industry minister, Christopher Pyne, told Channel Nine that Shorten should keep “both hands on the wheel at all times and he won’t get in trouble”.
But the treasurer, Scott Morrison, told Radio 3AW he wasn’t about to “pile on” the issue, and that all politicians are human.But the treasurer, Scott Morrison, told Radio 3AW he wasn’t about to “pile on” the issue, and that all politicians are human.
Related: Malcolm Turnbull's popularity dips in poll, as Bill Shorten slumps to fresh lowRelated: Malcolm Turnbull's popularity dips in poll, as Bill Shorten slumps to fresh low
“I’m the spending cop, not the traffic cop so I’ll leave those matters to the traffic cops,” he quipped.“I’m the spending cop, not the traffic cop so I’ll leave those matters to the traffic cops,” he quipped.
Last month the opposition leader admitted to sideswiping two cars in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton after dropping coffee in his lap while driving his car. No one was injured in the incident.Last month the opposition leader admitted to sideswiping two cars in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton after dropping coffee in his lap while driving his car. No one was injured in the incident.
Shorten is trailing the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, in the polls on the preferred prime minister ratings, 14% to 60% respectively. The Coalition has maintained an election-winning lead over Labor since Turnbull rolled Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership in September.Shorten is trailing the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, in the polls on the preferred prime minister ratings, 14% to 60% respectively. The Coalition has maintained an election-winning lead over Labor since Turnbull rolled Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership in September.