Fine defaulters still owe $6m

More than a month after the State Government started clamping down on WA’s worst fine evaders, Greater Bunbury defaulters still owe more than $6 million.

In August, the Department of the Attorney General announced and implemented changes to the Fines, Penalties and Infringements Notices Enforcement Act 1994, stating it would no longer tolerate the State’s serial fine evaders, who owed $259 million in court fines and traffic infringements.

According to a department spokeswoman, since then only $11.4 million had been collected Statewide, with only $400,000 from Greater Bunbury defaulters.

Of the region’s 5501 defaulters, 601 people had finalised their matters, but money was still owed on a total of 18,304 fines.

Attorney General Michael Mischin said the laws were actioned in response to a small group of serial offenders whose fines could improve the State’s services and facilities.

“This is money which could be better spent on schools, hospitals and significant new infrastructure,” he said.

The spokeswoman said the money owed could be returned to the region if the original infringement was from a prosecuting authority in the South West.

In the Perth metropolitan area, fines over $2000 are enforceable.

Those who dodge fines can have their vehicles clamped or seized and sold to recover the money owed.

The department spokeswoman said this process could be extended to Greater Bunbury unless defaulters paid up.

“Since August 28, when the department’s Sheriff ’s Officers started actively enforcing these new laws, there have been almost 200 wheel clamp or plate removal actions performed,” she said.

On August 21, a list of the State’s worst defaulters, including several from the region, also went live.

A Bunbury business which owed $165,813.70 is still ranked fifth on the list, with other regional fines worth more than $20,000 from residents in Collie, Bunbury, Australind, Dalyellup and Withers.

To learn how to pay outstanding fines visit http://www.courts.dotag.wa.gov.au/P/pay_fines_infringements. aspx?uid=5460-1031-1539-7062