By Ella Riggert
The Courier-Mail, 4th February 1999
One Nation MP Jack Paff will not be prosecuted over claims he broke traffic laws despite a Brisbane City Council opinion that he was clearly in the wrong.
Because of insufficient evidence, police have decided not to prosecute Mr Paff for allegedly running a red light and disobeying a "No Exit" sign at Parliament House.
Mr Paff, a former police sergeant, was filmed last month by a Channel 10 News crew allegedly committing the offences.
Police said because Mr Paff's car did not go past any stop line associated with the red light, the vehicle did not pass the red light itself, and the "No Exit" signs were not located on a public road, they would not prosecute.
However, the Brisbane City Council said the city's official traffic plans clearly showed the road from Parliament House, a place of the people, was in fact a public road.
Council's traffic chairperson, Maureen Hayes, said under the Traffic Act of 1974 a "road" included any alley, avenue, lane, thoroughfare, track, carriageway, footway whether surveyed or unsurveyed (to include approaches or crossings) which is "open" to and used by the public, or to which the public have access, whether on payment of a fee or otherwise".
She said both the "No Exit" signs, positioned on either side of the road, were of legal standing as far as the council was concerned.
"If the police have determined these signs are not of legal standing, then that has very interesting implications for motorists across the city," she said.
Cr Hayes said Mr Paff could not, in any circumstances, be seen to have taken due care and attention with his driving.
Mr Paff last week accused Channel 19, which recorded the alleged offence, of doctoring the film and therefore fabricating evidence.
Mr Paff yesterday hinted that police were now investigating his claim.
Mr Paff does not concede that he was the person driving the car in question.
Channel 10's news manager John Wiseman said the video "shows what it shows".
The footage is a continuous shot that is unedited," he said.
Cr Hayes said she was sure police had been very careful with their investigation knowing they (the police) would be faced with accusations of favouritism towards Mr Paff, a former police officer.