Disputing a fine will be more difficult as review department merges with debt collection division
SEEKING a review of a disputed fine is set to become more difficult with Revenue NSW to overhaul its debt collection branch.
NSW
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CHALLENGING a fine is set to become more difficult with Revenue NSW to overhaul its debt collection branch.
In a move designed to recoup millions of dollars lost in unpaid fines, the State government is quietly merging the branch that handles reviews requested from the public with its debt collection division.
But the Public Service Association warns the move will deny the public of a fair hearing with staff once charged with reviewing disputed fines to work to quotas as do their counterparts in the debt collection division.
Leaked departmental documents reveal debt collection staff to work to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on the volume of fine revenue to be recouped per session, with the top collectors celebrated in annual departmental bulletins.
One staff member alleged top performers were also given priority in obtaining a promotion, or applying for a coveted work-from-home role.
“Collections centre main objective is to collect revenue via payment,” a staffer said.
“They have their own little game to tally how much each staff member collects and they give awards based on this measure.”
Aside from motoring fines, Revenue NSW also handles those related to tolls, jury duty, companion animals, ambulance services, fair trading, parking and voting.
Under the Fines Act, someone who believes they were fined in error or is wishing to seek leniency due to special circumstances that contributed to the offence can request a review.
Motorists also wanting a 10 year clear driving record to be taken into consideration can also appeal for a review in some circumstances.
However, another staff member claimed the blended roles meant that some fines would simply no longer be reviewed, in contravention of the Fines Act.
“The blending of work tasks between Collections and Service clearly demonstrates that there is a higher focus on collection revenue than conducting a fair review for our customers,” the staff member said.
Five years ago, the State government unleashed an army of private debt collectors in a bid to recoup a then staggering $850 million in unpaid fines.
The initiative involved fine dodgers being threatened with having their driving licences suspended, registration cancelled, and even jail time.
Despite the crackdown, the government was last year forced to write off $38 million worth of unpaid fines with the majority relating to motoring offences, including speeding fines.
The Public Service Association said staff were concerned the merged divisions would lead to a conflict of interest with the priority being collecting fine revenue than resolving a dispute.
PSA general secretary Stewart Little said staff handling reviews should not be forced to work to fine collection KPIs.
“This decision appears to be about shaking as much money out of the public as possible, regardless of whether they deserve it or not,” he said.
“Collections and Services have always been kept separate for a very good reason: citizens deserve a fair and impartial assessment of whether they deserve their fines.
“Merging the teams creates a conflict of interest that should be obvious to even the most soft-headed senior bureaucrat.”
The latest internal Revenue NSW bulletin showcased nine staff members for having been the top collectors for the month, with one having raked in more than $60,000.
In January, the top collector hauled in more than $81,000 in unpaid fines.
Figures released last year show around $20 million worth of speeding and red light camera fines were issued in the month of July — or around $645,161 per day.
Last financial year, more than 1.1 million fines worth $573 million had not been paid on time, with the government expected to again write off at least part of that amount.
* Follow Linda Silmalis on Twitter @LindaSilmalis