Law change targets fine defaulters

Rockingham and Kwinana residents and businesses owe more than $12.3 million worth of unpaid fines, with new State Government legislation in place to target those trying to escape responsibilities.

Fines Enforcement Registry statistics show the region has more than 30,000 cases of outstanding violations, with those in the Kwinana area owing more than $7.1 million and Rockingham offenders a further $5.1 million.

Attorney-General Michael Mischin said rules were being put in place to claim unpaid fines.

“Serious defaulters who have more than $2000 in unpaid infringements, or who have substantial court fines, now face wheel clamping or the seizure of their cars and the removal of their licence plates,” he said. “Data captured by the Sheriff indicated that the most common place for the cars of fines and infringement defaulters to be detected is at shopping centre car parks, train stations and the casino.

“This suggests that some of these offenders have enough money to travel and gamble, and to drive while their licence is suspended, and they are deliberately choosing not to pay the money they owe the community of Western Australia — and that is just not good enough.”

The Attorney-General’s office also names and shames WA’s top 100 fine and infringement defaulters, with a number in the Rockingham and Kwinana area.

Mr Mischin said number plate recognition cameras were helping to catch culprits.

“The expanded camera network is another weapon in our arsenal to track down persistent fine defaulters, who often try to avoiding wheel clamping or vehicle seizure by parking a few streets away from home or at local shops,” he said.