Page 1253 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 3 April 2019
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MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (11.07): I thank Ms Cody for raising this matter, and I wish her a happy birthday today. I thank the Assembly for the constructive nature in which this debate has taken place so far. There is no doubt this government is committed to supporting a socially inclusive, fair and equitable city, and we want everyone in our community to be able to thrive.
We recognise that cost of living pressures can be a challenge for some Canberrans, and an unexpected infringement can certainly have the potential to disproportionately adversely impact some members of the community. But the values of fairness and equality also extend to obeying the territory’s laws and regulations, and we have a duty to support a safe city. For those members of our community who do not do this, there are of course penalties, as there are in every society.
Fines and associated demerit points for unsafe and illegal activities are a crucial element to deterring problematic behaviour and improving public safety. Whilst no-one, including members of this place, would be pleased to receive a fine, there are benefits to this approach to compliance and safety compared to an alternative option such as prosecution.
Having said that, we understand that the issuing of fines can present challenges for people who may be impacted by mental illness, intellectual and physical disabilities, drug addiction, lack of language skills and illiteracy, and for those who have simply hit a rough patch in their lives and are struggling with their finances.
We also understand a drivers licence suspension can have problematic consequences such as limiting access to employment, income and housing and can result in homelessness. These consequences have significant social costs. So in 2012 the government released the targeted assistance strategy, which built on the work already undertaken to support Canberrans facing financial pressures.
The 2012 strategy highlighted the need for vulnerable people to gain assistance with paying infringement debt, increasing their ability to retain a drivers licence, and therefore having a flow-on effect on job retention, financial security and quality of life. As a consequence, in 2013 new options were introduced for motorists to manage motor vehicle-related infringement notices by entering into a payment plan by undertaking a community work or social development plan or, in some exceptional circumstances, seeking a waiver of the infringement notice penalty.
The introduction of infringement payment plans back in 2013 has assisted members of our community with breaking the cycle of infringement debt and also provided avenues to address social or development issues through access to drug, alcohol and financial counselling.
Concession card holders and low income applicants earning under $35,000 per annum are automatically entitled to enter into a payment plan, and through this plan repayments start at $5 a week. The waiver of a debt can occur in certain
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