ACT Greens: Income-based fines fight continues

2019-08-26

The Greens continue to be concerned about the impacts of fines on vulnerable people.

“We are pleased that as a result of previous work of Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan, the ACT Government created a scheme to better enable people to pay off traffic infringements, including through community work orders," Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur said today.

“Our understanding that people in the ACT are not being incarcerated purely for having high fines payable to the Government. However, we do know that the impacts of fines can have a disproportionate effect on those on a low income.

“In 2017, of the 85,051 parking fines issued, 88 per cent were paid on time; while, of the 436 fines issued for driving an unregistered vehicle, only 13 per cent were paid on time.

“Unfortunately it is unclear as to why a person may not pay their fine, as this information is not collected. However, this points towards a system where financial penalties are disproportionately affecting people already struggling to pay their bills.

“The Greens will continue to pursue options for the implementation of the concept of income-based fines as a way to provide more proportionate penalties.”