Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Justice Legislation Amendment (Fines Reform and Other Matters) Bill 2022

Introduction and first reading

Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:10): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Fines Reform Act 2014, the Infringements Act 2006, the Magistrates’ Court Act 1989, the Road Safety Act 1986, the Sentencing Act 1991, the Sheriff Act 2009, the EastLink Project Act 2004, the Melbourne City Link Act 1995, the North East Link Act 2020, the West Gate Tunnel (Truck Bans and Traffic Management) Act 2019, the Taxation Administration Act 1997 and the Transfer of Land Act 1958 and other acts and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Mr BATTIN (Gembrook) (12:11): I request a brief explanation of the bill.

Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:11): The bill will amend the Fines Reform Act 2014, the Infringements Act 2006 and other relevant legislation to fully implement recommendations 1, 5, 12, 18 and 20 of the board, in line with the government’s response to the board’s recommendations; further amend the Fines Reform Act 2014 and the Infringements Act 2006 to clarify the information that must be provided when fines and enforcement hearing orders are referred to the director; implement a recommendation of the Ombudsman clarifying that enforcement agencies cannot outsource the internal review of function; ensure the information-gathering powers of the director and the sheriff; creative a legislative framework for electronic service of documents; and clarify that court fine collection statements should only include details of the court fine subject to the statement.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.