By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
UNPAID traffic fines are crippling Casey families, but after a big push from Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CISS) and Judith Couacaud Graley MP, Casey residents could be given a second chance.
Executive officer at Casey North CISS, Susan Magee, wrote to Attorney General Martin Pakula MP, in early February asking for a six-month, state-wide amnesty on administration fees attached to unpaid traffic fines.
Ms Magee also wants to see a review into the “complicated and inflexible” payment system, due to Casey’s high number of outstanding penalties.
She said Casey residents’ debt was one of the highest in the state.
State Member for Narre Warren South, Couacaud Graley raised the matter in parliament on Wednesday 24 February and has since secured a meeting with Mr Pakula and Ms Magee to be held in coming weeks.
Ms Graley said in parliament, “Many local residents contact my office seeking help with their unpaid fines and the administration fees that very quickly add up.”
“In fact, almost 30,000 residents in the City of Casey currently owe $102 million in traffic fines. It is an outstanding and alarming fact.”
“What options are available to assist people in paying their infringement debts?”
Ms Magee hopes the meeting will bring about an amnesty similar to what has been placed in states across Australia over the past 10 years.
“People aren’t paying fines when they get them because they can’t afford to,” she said.
“We have Casey residents come in carrying shopping bags full of unopened fines and it’s affecting all aspects of their lives.”
