❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Attorney General regarding the Fines Enforcement Registry's practices, particularly concerning fines issued to minors and the recent SmartRider controversy. The Attorney General confirms the registry enforces fines for those 17 and over and is aware of the SmartRider issue, but no specific communication occurred beyond routine infringement registration.
AnsweredQoN 1597Legislative Council
Asked
28 November 2024
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
FINES ENFORCEMENT REGISTRY
1597. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I refer to the work of the Fines
Enforcement Registry.
(1) Does the registry enforce fines
issued to anyone less than 18 years of age?
(2) If yes to
(1), does the registry have a policy stipulating a person's minimum age
that it will enforce a fine against?
(3) If yes to (2),
what is that policy?
(4) Is the
Attorney General aware of the recent revelation that fines have been issued to
commuters for not tagging on with their SmartRider during periods of free
public transport, including at least 3 900 teenagers who have been issued a fine
since February 2024?
(5) Will the
Attorney General table the most recent communication between the registry and
the authority regarding this controversy?
1597. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I refer to the work of the Fines
Enforcement Registry.
(1) Does the registry enforce fines
issued to anyone less than 18 years of age?
(2) If yes to
(1), does the registry have a policy stipulating a person's minimum age
that it will enforce a fine against?
(3) If yes to (2),
what is that policy?
(4) Is the
Attorney General aware of the recent revelation that fines have been issued to
commuters for not tagging on with their SmartRider during periods of free
public transport, including at least 3 900 teenagers who have been issued a fine
since February 2024?
(5) Will the
Attorney General table the most recent communication between the registry and
the authority regarding this controversy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Attorney General.
(1)–(3) The
Fines Enforcement Registry enforces registered infringements in accordance with
the provisions of the Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Act
1994. Under the act, infringements can be
registered for enforcement with the FER for a person who at the time of the
alleged offence was 17 years of age and over.
(4) Yes, the
Attorney General is aware of the media reports in relation to this matter.
(5) There has not
been any communication between the FER and the Public Transport Authority in
relation to this matter, apart from the routine registration of infringements
for enforcement.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Attorney General.
(1)–(3) The
Fines Enforcement Registry enforces registered infringements in accordance with
the provisions of the Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Act
1994. Under the act, infringements can be
registered for enforcement with the FER for a person who at the time of the
alleged offence was 17 years of age and over.
(4) Yes, the
Attorney General is aware of the media reports in relation to this matter.
(5) There has not
been any communication between the FER and the Public Transport Authority in
relation to this matter, apart from the routine registration of infringements
for enforcement.
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