20-09-01 5:40PM:Vic Roads:612 9653 0512 # 1/ 1
Office Of the Chief Executive
Vicroads
ABN 61 760 960 480
60 Denmark Street
Kew Victoria Australia
Tel: (O3) 9854 2029
Fax: (O3) 9853 0512
Peter.Balfe@roads.vic.gov.au
Please Quote: PA67284.9

Mr Raymond Hoser
Whistleblowers Australia
PO Box 599
DONCASTER VIC 3108

Dear Mr Hoser

I refer to your letter dated 20 September 2001, regarding your actions and the actions of VicRoads officers in relation to your banner over the Eastern Freeway.

I draw your attention to regulations 7 and 18 of the Transport (Roads and Property) Regulations 1993.

Contrary to your understanding, you do not have a right to exhibit a banner on a bridge over a freeway. It is an offence to do so without the consent in writing of VicRoads. No such consent has been given. VicRoads is empowered by law to direct the removal of an advertisement that is exhibited without consent, and officers of VieRoads are empowered to 'erase, obliterate or remove' such advertisements.

Furthermore it is an offence to interfere with a bridge handrail without the consent in writing of VicRoads.

Your claim that an officer of VicRoads has acted unlawfully in respect of this event is denied, I do not intend to disclose to you the name of any officers concerned in this incident, as they were acting in the course of their duty on behalf of VicRoads. Our officers are entitled to their privacy and any complaints you have will be addressed by VicRoads.

Yours Sincerely

(SIGNATURE)

20/9/2001
Victoria The Place To Be
***** QUALITY ENDORSED COMPANY