2018-11-27
The ACT Greens have today proposed a raft of new measures to help make Canberra fairer.
In a motion to be debated in the Assembly this week, the Greens’ proposal asks the Government to introduce a range of measures:
To make fines fairer:
- Investigate the potential for an income-based fines system (such as that in Finland), ensuring that those on low-incomes are not disproportionately punished for low-level traffic and parking infringements;
To make rates fairer:
- Ensure that residential rate payers who receive concessions are advised of available deferment programs;
- Redesign rates notices and better communicate the concessions, deferrals and hardship arrangements that can support residential rates payers;
- Provide additional training for Revenue Office staff to better identify and support those experiencing financial hardship;
Other measures:
- Broaden the ACT Budget’s ‘cost of living statement’ to include a broader range of data relating to vulnerable households;
- Approach the Federal Government to investigate how they can better support states to support those on lower incomes.
“While the ACT Government provides many services that are crucial supports for lower-income Canberrans, the Greens’ proposal will make the system fairer, clearer and easier to access,” Greens Treasury spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur said today.
“Any uncertainty around what supports are available only makes life tougher for those in need. Fines such as parking tickets and lower-level traffic infringements can also spiral people in hardship further into crisis.”
In 2017, of the 85,051 parking fines issued— 88% were paid on time; while, of the 436 fines issues for driving an unregistered vehicle, only 13% 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.
“We hope both major parties will back these calls from community for a fairer system,” Ms Le Couteur added.