Webber hits reverse after ‘nanny state’ controversy
The Australian, irritated at local overregulation such as the prevalence of speeding and parking fines, made the comment in the wake of Lewis Hamilton's famous run-in with Melbourne police in March.
Then, when the formula one circus had moved on to Malaysia, Webber's father Alan and manager/partner Ann Neal posed with a group of fans wearing T-shirts bearing the words 'Victoria The Nanny State!'
One newspaper reader wrote at the time: "So this is the message from Mark Webber to the families who have lost loved ones on the roads this Easter. What a bloody disgrace."
Another added: "Don't come back Webbers. You are not welcome in my state."
The local Herald Sun newspaper said 33-year-old Webber's management has now written a letter to the government offering to have the Red Bull driver front a road safety campaign.
"It's something Mark is passionate about," Neal said. "It's not a knee-jerk reaction to the press he's had, it's something he has always done."
A government spokesman said Webber's offer was being considered.