Owe yes, it’s a fine idea
Opportunity to pay off your debt with community work
“You might end up having to do 40 hours work or something but, to get your clear record, it’s worth doing.”
DAMIEN BERNASCONI
PEOPLE owing up to $14,000 in unpaid fines can trade them for community work during a special session at SalvoConnect in Belmont.
Department of Justice and Sheriff’s Office chiefs are supporting Free From Fines Day, which gives people the chance to rid themselves of fines without prosecution.
SalvoConnect spokesman Damien Bernasconi urged people to consider attending the day to find out what they owed and what alternatives there might be.
“You might end up having to do 40 hours work or something but, to get your clear record, it’s worth doing,” Mr Bernasconi said.
“And it can just be an information session if that’s what people are after. There’s definitely no one going to get locked up and we haven’t got police around the corner.”
A free barbecue lunch, face painting and showbags would help create a family-friendly atmosphere.
Mr Bernasconi said many fines might be for parking, speeding or unpaid tolls.
Many clients who often changed addresses might not be aware of their full debt loads and now have trouble completing car registrations and other transactions.
The ratio of community work to unpaid fines might be an hour for every $50 owed, and people could choose their community work in special interest areas such as gardening, with animals or a trade.
Mr Bernasconi said feedback on plans for the Free From Fines Day had been strong and he hoped 50 or more people might attend the day at Belmont SalvoConnect from 10am-3pm on Wednesday, February 11.
People can phone SalvoConnect on 5244 9500 for more information.