The Monetary Penalties Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026 has been tabled in the House of Assembly.
The Bill provides changes to the collection and enforcement of court fines, infringement notices, and compensation orders for victims of crime referred to the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service.
Minister for Justice, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Guy Barnett, said these reforms are about increasing options, building in safeguards, and continuing to ensure the collection and enforcement of monetary penalties is fair and effective.
"Stronger finances mean stronger protection for Tasmanians, and this Bill will ensure greater ability to recover money owing in line with the original intent of the Act," Minister Barnett said.
"The Bill also supports the ability to ensure money can be collected for those who have left Tasmania.
"Our Government is delivering for Tasmanians, taking action in the interest of fairness and justice, as well as providing additional revenue to fund essential services.
"The Bill also enhances fairness by removing the publication of enforcement debtors' personal details, as well as strengthening privacy protections for the public."
Key elements of the Bill include:
- enabling reciprocal enforcement of monetary penalties between participating jurisdictions;
- strengthening obligations on banks and employers when a redirection order is issued;
- ensuring enforcement debtors receive timely notice of redirection orders affecting them;
- allowing electronic service of documents to improve efficiency;
- restoring the ability to redirect funds from bank accounts to repay unpaid fines, with appropriate safeguards; and
- introducing greater discretion to avoid hardship, including in relation to victims of crime compensation.
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