FINES PAYMENT UNIT

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Attorney-General a question about the Fines Payment Unit.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Early this year I made an FOI request of the Courts Administration Authority asking for information on the total current debts owed by offenders to the Fines Payment Unit. The response, in a letter dated 25 February, indicated the total outstanding debt owed to the state amounted to some $199 million. Subsequent to that, on the Leon Byner radio program on 28 February this year, the Attorney-General promised a complete review of the Fines Payment Unit, and the Attorney noted (and I quote directly from the interview):

It's...a matter that has concerned me for some time...what I've done is actually start off looking at the present system...we've got Kevin Osborne from the Economic Development Board, former Director of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. He's going to be sitting with my departmental officers and the Courts Admin people to work out a completely new structure for this. Here's what's on the table, though...should the Courts Admin Authority or indeed the courts be dealing with this matter at all as the main collection agency? I suspect not but I'll be interested in hearing what they say.

My questions to the minister are:

1. What has been the outcome of the review carried out by Mr Osborne?

2. What is the current fines total currently outstanding?

3. What immediate steps can the Attorney-General take to rein in this ever-increasing debt?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for his important questions and will refer them to the Attorney-General in another place and bring back a response.