70,000 airport parking fines (worth $5m) are invalid

[rolfejohn]

Hi frequentflyers, I thought you may want to check out the story leading the Travel section on the Sydney Daily Telegraph homepage about how a group of limo drivers beat their airport parking fines by arguing the fines were not properly authorised. The Dept of Transport (Infrastructure as they like to call it) has admitted 70,000 fines worth $5m issued over the past five years are invalid.

 

[AussieTim]

Sydney Airport and other hubs' parking fines fail court test | The Daily Telegraph

Interesting..

 

[UP4014]

Excellent news, couldn't of happened to nicer bunch.

 

[simongr]

Great news - the airports will have to recover that loss from duty free price increases, higher retail charges. A net win for those pax and drivers that didnt breach the airports parking regs - I think not.

 

[SeaWolf]

I think it's just more evidence supporting what we already knew, that Sydney Airport is very badly run, at least for the customers anyway.

 

[UP4014]

Great news - the airports will have to recover that loss from duty free price increases, higher retail charges. A net win for those pax and drivers that didnt breach the airports parking regs - I think not.

simongr, it's not a loss, but income not realised.

 

[Hvr]

Two points:
a) All monies received plus costs should be immediately refunded to any motorist who was intimidated into paying this extortion.

b) Any organisation such as the RTA which freely gives personal details to organisations attempting to illegally collect monies from people must immediately cease giving such information. All information already issued must be destroyed and appropriate personnel from the privacy commission must examine Sydney airport computers to ensure that this has been carried out.

Penalties for all breaches of the Privacy Act in giving out this information would be appropriate.

 

[kamchatsky]

But the question, does it mean that all fines from now on are actually valid?

 

[odysseus]

But the question, does it mean that all fines from now on are actually valid?

"The department claims it has fixed the problems for fines issued after March 25 this year. But it appears ``parking infringement notices'' issued between late 2004 and then are open to challenge."

 

[FlyboyAl]

So does it mean that if you got pinged, and paid, you will get your money back, or will you have to "apply" for a refund?

 

[ethernet]

Normally there is closure - if you paid , that's it.

Back to the article: When asked for 'Authority' they withdrew.

They did not test the more meaningful 'regulation' that as I understand makes no distinction between drop off and pickup.

We have the situation where bogus fines have been knowingly 'kited' , while RTA and and ACCC sat on their useless behinds.

The third test - abuse of market power has not been touched. The pre-existing behavior sets the tone that it is solely a revenue grab, with prrhaps the RTA or the collection body in an arrangement who legality or otherwise can be tested.

If the RTA is STILL supplying data - someone should be personally accountable and loose their job.

I find it difficult to believe the matter has been fixed. Once the 'Authority' is identified, a class action can get underway.