Unpaid fines total $7m

Vehicle clamping in Greater Bunbury could become a reality with more than 5000 residents in the region owing a staggering $7 million in unpaid fines and infringements to the State Government.

Earlier this month the Department of the Attorney General decided it would no longer tolerate serial fine evaders and made amendments to the Fines, Penalties and Infringements Notices Enforcement Act 1994.

The changes came into effect yesterday and will target thousands of West Australians who owe $259 million in unpaid court fines and traffic infringements.

According to the department, about 5500 people in Greater Bunbury owe more than $7 million, 700 of whom owe $2000 or more.

Fines of $2000 or more are enforceable and could result in vehicle clamping, removal of licence plates – some permanently – or the seizure and selling of property to recover the outstanding debt.

Yesterday, a website went live naming and shaming the top 100 defaulters, six of whom are from Bunbury, Carey Park, Collie, Australind and Withers.

One defaulter is a Bunbury business which owes $165,813 and the other five are individuals who owe more than $20,000 each.

Attorney General Michael Mischin said the laws were in response to a small group of serial offenders.

Statewide 4976 people owed more than $2000 in traffic-related fines such as serious speeding and redlight camera offences and 9635 people owed more than $2000 each in court fines.

“These laws are about taking action to ensure that a small group of serial offenders do the right thing by all West Australians,” Mr Mischin said.

“This is money that could be better spent on schools, hospitals or significant new infrastructure.

“The public has had enough of these fine bludgers who have flouted the law and refused to pay what they owe the State, leaving lawabiding West Australians to foot the bill.”

According to a spokeswoman for the Attorney General, the enforcement would initially be carried out in Perth, but had real potential to be extended regionally to areas such as Greater Bunbury.

Yesterday, Mr Mischin said the laws had already made an impact with more than 12,000 people paying their fines in full or entering into pay arrangements.

“The total amount of money paid in part or in full since August 4 is more than $3.9 million.

This included 639 defaulters who have paid almost $900,000 and would have been targeted under the new law.