The process involved in recovering fines in Queensland is an absolute joke. The State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) is responsible for recovering monies owed through court and other fines. They have been hamstrung though by the governments fear of re-introducing Warrants of Commitment. A warrant of commitment used to mean if you had an outstanding fine you had to pay it. If you did not pay it in the req'd time frame or make arrangements to pay it off a warrant was issued for your arrest. If you were then located the police would offer you the chance to pay it immediately or do the in defaut period or pro rata thereof in custody.
Pay the money or go to gaol. Simple.
The current system is a joke and that is why you see offenders giving each other high fives when they come out of court.The problem is offenders aren't scared of warning letters. Unlicenced drivers aren't scared of you not renewing their licence or rego because, guess why? That's right, they don't have one.
Recent figures show that Cairns Regional Council is owed nearly $500,000 in unpaid fines and costs. That's $500,000 that could be spent on vital infrastructure or services.
The people of Queensland are owed 100's of $millions. Imagine what we could do with that at Cairns hospital, JCU, our education system.
But it's not just government owed money not recovered it's also innocent victims and people put out because of someones else illegal activity. Why should the victim be out of pocket?
The missing component of the SPER system is the "E"! There is no Enforcement and that needs to change for this system to work
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