17 November 2004

Problems Collecting Fines? Can We Fix It? Yes We Can!

New Zealand First has accused the Minister for Courts of being the last person in the country to realise the infringement system is dysfunctional.

This follows Rick Barker’s call for a review of the system because it is not working properly.

Law and order spokesperson Ron Mark said today that New Zealand First revealed 18 months ago that there was over $500m in unpaid fines.

“We even offered the Government the solution at Select Committee, during discussions on the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, by suggesting that courts have the benefit of full information-sharing with Inland Revenue and WINZ in order to track down defaulters and ascertain their actual income.

“The Bill can still be amended to ensure that the courts are given the tools and the teeth to carry out the job.

“It is ridiculous that debt collecting companies should have more success in recovering money than the courts,” said Mr Mark.

“But the Minister, who has stated in the past that ‘No one gets it absolutely, perfectly right the first time, and anybody who believes that is a fool’, has a chance to get it right now.

“If you can’t fix it, Minister – move over. We can,” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

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