ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has apologised for a blooper he made on a Canberra radio station last Friday (July 30). 

He made the apology in the ACT Legislative Assembly this afternoon (August 4) when Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton questioned a “false claim” that he made about thousands of warning letters being sent to motorists who exceeded the 40km/h speed limits on Northbourne Avenue prior to the speed limits being enforced on July 5.

Better Regulation Minister Tara Cheyne cleared the air saying, in short — “no” — no warning letters had been sent.

In reply to Mr Parton’s questioning, Mr Barr said: “My understanding was that there had been extensive communication from the time the speed zones changed in March to when infringement notices were issues.

“If I had made an error, I apologise for that.

“I don’t have instant recollection of every single thing. I do recall a discussion in relation to this matter, I got it wrong, I apologise. Nevertheless, there have been months and months of discussion, warnings, signs and debate on this issue.”

The blooper came after 18,437 fines, totalling about $4.8 million in revenue, were issued to motorists in the three weeks that the 40km/h speed signs were being enforced on Northbourne Avenue.

The $4.8 million makes up almost half of what the ACT collected in all red light and fixed speed cameras across the whole of the ACT in the 11 months to May ($11.54 million).