Public consultation opens on reforms for the collection of fines and compensation

Consultation is open on proposed 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, today released the draft Monetary Penalties Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026 for public consultation.

“These reforms are about increasing options, building in safeguards, and continuing to ensure the collection and enforcement of monetary penalties is fair and effective,” Minister Barnett said.

“Our Government is delivering for Tasmania, with the Bill removing the publication of enforcement debtors’ personal details, as well as strengthening privacy protections for the public."

Key elements of the draft Bill include:

• restoring the ability to redirect funds from bank accounts to repay unpaid fines, with appropriate safeguards;
• strengthening obligations on banks and employers when a redirection order is issued;
• ensuring enforcement debtors receive timely notice of redirection orders affecting them;
• improving protections for sole traders and employees;
• allowing electronic service of documents to improve efficiency;
• enabling reciprocal enforcement of monetary penalties between participating jurisdictions; and
• introducing greater discretion to avoid hardship, including in relation to victims of crime compensation.

Public consultation on the draft Bill is open until midnight, 19 April 2026.

Further information, including the draft Bill and details on how to make a submission, is available on the Department of Justice website.