How good is Australia? In the US drug dealers and other crims ride in pimpmobiles with superb headlights, Gangsta Wall low-profile tyres, chrome hubcaps with spokes and shag or velour interiors. But in our country, where the four pillars of the good life are Ferraris and Porkers, Rolexes, private schools and a floating gin palace moored at any yacht club with a Royal in the name.
Let's take public servants Alexandre Dubois and Craig Steyn. Alex and Craig worked for the state's Roads and Maritime Services department for about 10 years. NSW's ICAC is investigating an allegation that, between 2009 and June 2019, Alex and Craig "partially and/or dishonestly exercised their official functions by awarding in excess of $41m in RMS contracts to companies with which they were associated, in exchange for receiving benefits".
In his opening address ICAC's barrister Jason Downing SC said: "I anticipate that the evidence that will be called during this public inquiry will demonstrate that over almost 10 years, Mr Dubois and Mr Steyn engaged in large-scale, systemic conduct which involved them taking steps to ensure that RMS contracts were awarded to companies controlled by friends and associates, and in some cases, family members, in return for very substantial kickbacks."
It was alleged some of these contracts were for "maintenance works on steel gantry structures which housed camera systems at various locations around the state, maintaining and upgrading the various camera systems".
Don't let me be the conspiracy theorist here (but I will be): you all know what "various camera systems" are used for. As our own Herald Sun reported: "Drivers are raging on social media after four mobile speed camera operators stationed themselves in the same street in Melbourne's northwest this week."
In allegations raised at ICAC: "Alex acquired a number of Porsche 911 variants", including a 997 GT2RS which was twice purchased for him, once for $353,028 and once for $735,000. A 996 GT2, a $300,000 997 GT2 and a 993 RS. In addition, he allegedly used this method to acquire a $1,586,500 Ferrari F40, a $500,000 Ferrari 360 and a $697,500 Ferrari 599 GTB. Oh, and a Merc C63 was allegedly acquired for a partner. Go Alex.
On your behalf, can I just pose a few questions here? We've all seen the track record of red light and speed camera operators in Australia. Don't you think it beggars belief that, given there seems to be no governance in the bodies responsible for them, there's not a few rorts going on apart from placing four mobile speed camera operators in the same street with one of the vehicles posing as a car belonging to a green P-plater?