Half price fines for teens and jobless?

Teenagers and the unemployed could soon get a discount on fines in Victoria if the recommendations of a government report are followed.

People under 18, the jobless and some welfare recipients could get half-price fines from police, public transport enforcers and parking inspectors.

The move is intended to help the Victorian government claw back some of the $400 million in fines that goes unpaid every year.

Sentencing Council chair Alan Freiberg said that discounts would "focus on the people, not just on the fines."

"We see this as equity… but we don't see it going down well with treasury," he told The Age.

The council's report said that the current system failed to take into account the personal circumstances of the person being fined.

While a $212 public transport fine represents 15 percent of the average weekly income, it's nearly 85 percent of a week's Newstart.

''If you are someone in those financial circumstances, having to pay a fine of $200 is very substantial,'' Professor Freiberg said.

''In order for a fine to be credible, it has to be payable.''

The report also recommends harsher penalties for those who can pay, but refuse to do so.

Author: Lachlan Williams; Approving Editor: Simon Black

Source: The Age