ANGLICARE FINANCIAL COUNSELLING CONFERENCE 13 OCTOBER 2015 NEALE BUCHANAN DIRECTOR MONETARY PENALTIES ENFORCEMENT SERVICE

MPES collects infringement notices and court imposed fines on behalf of government departments and local government councils These activities are conducted predominantly in a call centre environment (through inwards and outwards calls) but also in field situations as part of focussed enforcement activity and projects MPES IN A NUTSHELL 2

WHEN PAIDPERCENTAGEMPES ACTION On time28%No enforcement action required Less than 30 days after due date 12%Minimal enforcement action required (statements) Between 30 and 180 days 11%Moderate enforcement action required by MPES (administrative sanctions) Greater than180 days49%Intensive contact and enforcement action (civil sanctions) HOW DILIGENT ARE TASMANIANS IN PAYING THEIR FINES? 3

HISTORICAL VALUE OF ALL OUTSTANDING PENALTIES

WHERE IT’S OWED 5

BY REGION 6

GENDER/LEGAL ENTITY 7

AGE OF DEFAULTED DEBT 8

DEBT PROFILE - OWE OVER $5000 9

DEBT PROFILE – OWE LESS THAN $

PAYMENT STATUS OF DEBTORS OWING MORE THAN $50,000 11

SANCTIONS

Sanction TypeSample numbers % of accounts on which a payment was subsequently made within 28 days % of accounts which were subsequently paid in full within 28 days Name Publication78312%0% Suspension of motor vehicle registration %0% Suspension of driver’s license 92946%5% EFFECTIVENESS OF SANCTIONS 13

ISSUES Inconsistency in approach Lack of transparency in our policies (if we have them) Waiting for the Director to make all the decisions High levels of old debt with no plan on how to collect it No prioritisation of defaulted accounts No structured, consistent process to deal with defaulted new debt/PVs Tensions in the workplace culture – service v combat 14

OUR NEW STRATEGY 15

WHAT’S THE POINT IN HAVING A STRATEGY? 16 “If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” Laurence J. Peter

Are we simply a revenue raiser for government? Are we punishers of people who don’t want to pay their fines? Or are we part of the system of justice? “The Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service is an output of the Department of Justice. Through the collection of monetary penalties imposed by public sector bodies, we ensure that such penalties effectively contribute to the achievement of the Department’s aim of a fair, just and safe Tasmania.” REFOCUSSED ON OUR PURPOSE 17

DEVELOPED SOME RELEVANT AND CLEAR VALUES 18

OUR VALUES 19 As employees of the department of Justice we act in accordance with the State Service Principles and the required behaviours of department employees. Our clients come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances and at all times we deal with them in a manner that: Respects them and their individual circumstances Shows no personal bias, prejudice or improper motive Displays integrity Is co-operative, inclusive and open Demonstrates accountability for our actions and decisions

Removing a license suspension Standard approach to persons on Centrelink benefits Name publications Requirement for a written application for a variation of payment conditions Lifting the veil of secrecy REVIEWING AND FORMALISING OUR POLICIES 20

1.Aggressively deal with the ancient debt If we can’t find them, write the debt off 2.Take a project approach to existing defaulted debt that is less than 5 years old 3.Ensure all defaults from payment plans receive a personal and early contact 4.Have a consistent enforcement process that we apply to all new fines that are not paid by the due date IDENTIFIED 4 PRIORITIES TO IMPROVE OUR PERFORMANCE 21

QUESTION TIME 22