How to help your clients resolve their SPER debt North Brisbane Disability Forum 24 August 2016

Today’s agenda Our focus SPER’s role in managing the end-to-end penalty debt system & finalisation options Improving the way we work Fine Option Orders Instalment Plans Helping your clients Exploring Work and Development Orders for Queensland How do we support our stakeholders Your contacts at SPER Questions and discussion

Our focus SPER has an important role in upholding the law by recovering unpaid fines and penalties SPER uses a range of enforcement actions to ensure those who can pay, do When a person has difficultly paying due to certain circumstances, SPER provides options to help manage the debt

A view of penalty debt management in Queensland SPER’s recovery options Development of offence or fine policy e.g. DTMR, DJAG Reflect in the legislation i.e. Acts and Regulations Issue monetary penalty/other monetary orders Collect fees and penalties; Refer unpaid fines and penalties to SPER Finalisation options Financial One-off payment Instalment plans (CPAY) Non-Financial Fine Option Order (community service) Good behaviour order Enforcement options Driver licence suspension Fine Collection Notice (garnishee) Vehicle immobilisation Vehicle/property seizure & sale Penalty debt in Queensland has risen dramatically since SPER began in 2000. Each adult in Queensland now has average 5.2 fines each. Our debt pool has risen to 1.2 Billion dollars. SPER’s plan – leader in penalty debt management – we aim to do this by being MORE PROACTIVE AND LESS RESPONSIVE Involvement with leading debt issuing and referral agencies at the formulation stage of offence and fine policy – asking the hard questions like ‘is issuing a fine an effective sanction?’ ‘What are the options?’ EXAMPLE – Court Diversion Program (offering offenders drug and alcohol counselling. offered at bail and sentencing. Promotion of consultation with SPER by the major issuing and referring agencies at the debt referral stage – negotiations with DTMR have resulted in less tolling fines being referred to SPER Discuss briefly the types of finalisation and enforcement options SPER provides feedback and reporting on the effectiveness of fines and penalties as a sanction

Improving the way we work Issuing and Referring Agencies SPER SPER Customers Education and Advocacy Partners Sharing business intelligence Leading a cross-government penalty debt management committee Providing feedback on debt finalisation and effectiveness of infringements Adopting international new best practice Implementing a new IT solution Reviewing resources e.g. ICT Creating new treatment strategies based on customer profiling Providing clearer instructions Revising communication approaches e.g. website, forms, fact sheets Exploring new payment and enforcement options Engaging regularly through a dedicated Stakeholder Management team Providing opportunities for collaboration on community issues Explaining the options to pay Program of Reform since 2014 SPER New Service Solution Partner – CGI - more than an IT solution - Providing us with new ideas as well as a new system of work Incorporating new strategies - Behavioural Economics SPER Customers Understanding our customer’s needs better Improving ways we interact with our customers Education and Advocacy Partners Embracing opportunities to bring awareness to the community and our customers

Helping people experiencing hardship Extended deferral of enforcement actions Good behaviour orders Fine options orders (community service) Reduced instalment plans Exploring work and development orders SPER provides options for people in the following situations: Are experiencing economic hardship Are homeless Live in a remote Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community Have a disability or impaired decision making capacity Other circumstances such as undergoing drug rehabilitation or are in or have been released from custody

What cannot be converted? Applying for a Fine Option Order Eligibility Criteria Must be a Queensland resident Experiencing financial hardship What cannot be converted? Court Ordered Restitution, Compensation and Offender Levy Victims Assist Queensland - Compensation Orders How to apply <$8,000 complete a Fine Option Order Application >$8,000 complete a Financial Disclosure Application (FDA)

Fine Option Order Process Application Assessment Assessed by SPER Applicants must show financial hardship Non-eligibility Criteria Financial hardship has not been demonstrated Medically unable to complete service or refused previously due to QCS supervisory concerns The next step Advised by a ‘Referral Notice’ that states they must report to QCS within 14 days Undergo interview with Probation and Parole staff Do three examples on white board

Instalment Plans with SPER Instalment amount is determined by capacity to pay Need to complete an instalment plan application Fines over $8,000 also require a Financial Disclosure Application to be submitted Can be arranged directly through SPER Weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments Deducted from bank account, debt/credit card or CPAY Important to contact SPER if instalment amount cannot be met one day before it is due

Helping your clients Assist with the process - advise your client on SPER’s processes and options. Update current contact details If an application is refused - encourage your client to contact SPER immediately to make alternative arrangements for payment of debt Explain the consequences of not acting - to avoid extra fees and enforcement action

Exploring Work and Development Orders for Queensland Based on NSW WDO model WDO eligibility criteria: Have a mental illness, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment Are homeless Have a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or volatile substances Are experiencing acute financial hardship Expanded range of activities: Treatment programs and counselling: medical, mental health and/or drug and alcohol Development programs: educational or life skills course, mentoring Unpaid work for, or on behalf of, an approved organisation Underpinned by a genuine partnership between SPER and the community services sector Add that consultation paper was sent out to community and now responses will be considered when a submission is put forward to cabinet in September Extensive network of community service organisations, which: Are accredited to assess the eligibility of individuals for the scheme Develop activity plans and apply to the scheme on behalf of the individual Oversee the activities and report on progress

How do we support our stakeholders Provide stakeholders with direct access to us, giving stakeholders a voice for ongoing and strategic decisions Work in partnership with stakeholders to improve end-to-end penalty debt process Maintain open and inclusive environment where information, comment, opinion and criticism are valued and utilised Share learnings between stakeholders

Who to contact General enquiries and payments Special consideration SPER Contact Centre 1300 365 635 sper@treasury.qld.gov.au www.sper.qld.gov.au Special consideration SPER Individual Considerations Team 1300 131 510 sper.individualconsiderationteam@treasury.qld.gov.au Education partner help and support SPER Stakeholder Management Team (07) 3012 2826 sperengagement@treasury.qld.gov.au

Thank you