Victorian fine dodgers given five decades to pay debts under ‘ludicrous’ system
Serial fine dodgers who have racked up fines of over $70k are being given almost half a century to pay back their debts, with some giving as little as $20 per week, it was has been labelled a “ludicrous” fine system.
VIC News
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Some serial fine dodgers in Victoria have been given almost half a century to pay their debts under what a legal advice group has labelled a “ludicrous” system.
The Herald Sun can reveal people who owe tens of thousands of dollars in traffic fines have been placed on payment plans of as little as $20 a week.
The payment plans were revealed in a document released under a Freedom of Information request and the revelations come as Fines Victoria is plagued with IT troubles resulting in $700 million in outstanding infringements.
The longest payment plan imposed by the Department of Justice expires in 2067.
It is held by a Dandenong resident who is paying back $51,000 over 48 years at $40 a fortnight.
Other cases include:
— A Dingley Village resident paying $36 a week to clear $54,124 by 2048; and
— A Mickleham driver paying $50 a week to clear $72,639 by 2047.
The most expensive payment plan is worth $89,564 and held by a St Kilda resident who is paying $125 per week, to be cleared by 2033.
Western suburbs legal advice group West Justice’s Denis Nelthorpe said the scheme was “a ludicrous proposition” and the “matters need to be reviewed”.
He warned many of the larger plans were the result of penalties from tolling giant Transurban and often involved the elderly and people with mental health problems.
“These sorts of orders just don’t work,” Mr Nelthorpe said.
“It is obviously a ludicrous proposition and they are effectively made to fail.”
In cases where debtors miss a repayments they are referred to Victoria Police.
Mr Nelthorpe said he knew of at least one case where a heavily pregnant woman who had stopped work was issued with a warrant because she could no longer pay her plan off.
He also said many people would struggle to make payments once they entered retirement.
Mr Nelthorpe’s call for a review was supported by shadow attorney-general Edward O’Donohue.
“The Victorian fines system under Daniel Andrews is broken and this is just further proof it is not working in the interests of Victorians.”
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Government spokesman David Hurley said debtors were obligated to stick to the pay arrangements.
“Any application for payment plans are based on demonstrated hardship, the income levels and financial status of the applicant, and the infringement payment history,” he said.
“However we’re helping provide additional support to vulnerable and disadvantaged people to manage their debt.”
Department spokesman Sandra Youkhana said payment arrangements were a proven mechanism for the state to recover outstanding debt.
“Payment arrangements provide an option for people to take responsibility for their fine debt and to better manage paying off their fines,” she said.
“Payment arrangements can be tailored to reflect people’s individual circumstances to allow people to resolve their debts in a structured, financially responsible way.
“If a person defaults on their payment arrangement, Fines Victoria and the Sheriff will take enforcement action to recover the debt owed to the state.”