Heffernan's speeding costs him his licence

LIBERAL senator and Junee farmer Bill Heffernan is facing six months of chauffeured driving and plane flights after losing his licence for speeding. Senator Heffernan faced Junee Local Court yesterday pleading guilty to driving 10km over the speed limit while on the way to Canberra recently.Initially representing himself, Sen Heffernan was offered help by solicitor Phillip Day who told the court at the time of the incident Heffernan was driving on the Coolac bypass in a 110km/h zone.Sen Heffernan was travelling behind a B-double truck, Mr Day said, and he did not see a change in speed zones for an approaching random breath test site and was forced to pull over quickly after being waved in by police. The 67-year-old farmer travels more than 100,000km a year and Mr Day said his licence was essential to conduct his work as a senator.Magistrate Anthony Murray said regardless of his need to have a licence, his "recent record was not a good one".Mr Day asked for Sen Heffernan to be placed on a good behaviour bond given in previous traffic offences he had never been placed on one telling the court the senator was aware "his record isn't what it's supposed to be".Mr Murray said it was not an option and suspended him from driving for six months and fined him $150.He said despite him being a "significant public figure" the law cut both ways. Taking into account a plea at the earliest opportunity, his position in federal parliament and his travel commitments, Mr Murray said at the end of the day Sen Heffernan's poor traffic record contributed to the matter. With the fine standing, Sen Heffernan's licence will now be suspended. It is not the first time he has lost his licence, with the last time being in June, 2006.