Two South West Sydney MPs have welcomed the NSW Government’s changes to parking fines.
Nathan Hagarty, Member for Leppington, and Charishma Kaliyanda, Member for Liverpool, say the reforms will bring accountability and fairness.
The Minns Labor Government announced this week they will take action to reform the ticketless parking fine system, ensuring drivers receive on-the-spot notifications for parking fines.
The former Liberal-National Government introduced the ticketless parking fine system with insufficient safeguards to protect drivers.
Their poor implementation allowed the number of ticketless fines to explode, denied drivers transparency and eroded trust in the parking fine system.
Liverpool City Council’s parking fines have surged by nearly 20 per cent, with over $4 million worth of fines issued in the last financial year following the implementation of ticketless fines.
Mr Hagarty and Ms Kaliyanda have expressed concern over the increasing reliance on fines by council, as it only hurts families during a cost-of-living crisis.
“Liverpool City Council’s heavy-handed approach is hitting local families hard while we’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,’’ Mr Hagarty said.
“A near 20 per cent jump in fines is a sign that something isn’t right. We need to put fairness and transparency back into the system so residents aren’t hit with fines weeks after the offence.
“Liverpool residents deserve fair treatment, and we are committed to working towards a more balanced approach that respects motorists while maintaining order.”
Charishma Kaliyanda said the changes would come as a relief to many people across Liverpool who have been subject to “some of the most egregious revenue raising from council as a result of the ticketless parking fine scheme’’.
“Ticketless fines leave motorists in the dark for weeks, before a fine ends up in their mailbox,’’ Ms Kaliyanda said.
“This prevents them from gathering evidence that may allow them to have the penalty overturned.
“Liverpool residents deserve the opportunity to make the case as to why a fine should be overturned. The return of physical parking tickets will give them the best chance to do so.”
This is wonderful news because it’s bad enough getting household bills without an unknown parking fine suddenly appearing out of the ether . . . the last straw to break one’s financial balance.